Three streams of the Church… One mighty river

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. (Psalm 61:4)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. (Rev. 22:1-3)

The Vision is to restore the fullness of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church that Jesus Christ built, it was intended to be One River with three streams. Through history, the Church of Jesus Christ always has been One River form by those three streams of Christianity - the Evangelical, the Charismatic and the Sacramental - blend together for God’s glory.

The Evangelical stream emphasizes the supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures in faith and life, and the necessity of personal conversion and biblical discipleship. We share its focus on the centrality of the cross of Christ, his atoning death as a substitution for us, and the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We also share its missionary and evangelistic imperatives. For more on the reformed stream in classic Anglicanism, see the doctrinal statements in the 39 Articles of Religion.

The Charismatic stream emphasizes the present work of the Holy Spirit in miraculous power in the life of the believer and the Church. It upholds the role of every believer as a minister who serves with one or more spiritual gifts, including healing, prophecy, and tongues, all for the building up of the church. The Holy Spirit enables us to hear His voice, to walk our talk, and abide in His love.

This Sacramental/liturgical stream emphasizes the role of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist, and the traditional orders of ordained ministry, in mediating the grace of God. It recognizes that the Holy Spirit has been at work in the church for 2000 years through the historic common worship and the Church, including in the seven ecumenical councils, and He has given us a deposit of orthodox faith for our benefit and learning.

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”

These words from Ecclesiastes 4.12 are in a passage that speaks of the strength and unity found in diversity. From the time of Christ Jesus, His Church has always been a "cord of three strands". These three basic expressions of Christianity have continued throughout the pages of Church history. Today, as never before, these three distinct expressions of faith are being braided into one strong cord. By celebrating the best of the Church in history, and combining that with the Spirit’s renewing work, we can open the full deposit of the Father’s old and new treasures to His people.