About Us

THE STORY OF EACA

About the Evangelical Anglican Church in America

The Evangelical Anglican Church in America (EACA) is a denomination rooted in the Anglican catholic tradition, faithfully upholding apostolic practices within the One, Holy, catholic, and Apostolic Church. The EACA is committed to the stewardship of its sacramental heritage and traditions, offering them in service to all the People of God.

We are not in full communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Even so, we share deep bonds with Anglican, Episcopal, and Old Catholic communities, grounded in a common heritage of worship, doctrine, and governance.

The EACA upholds the sacred validity of holy orders through an unbroken and historically attested chain of apostolic succession. Its sacraments are valid and offered to all the People of God, reflecting a deep respect for the diversity of creation as a cornerstone of God’s abundant love and welcome for all.

Who We Are

We are a church that joyfully welcomes and affirms the identities and experiences of all God’s people. Our community reflects the beautiful diversity of creation, encompassing people from many backgrounds, identities, and orientations.

We are Catholic and Protestant, honoring our Anglican heritage and the breadth of Christian faith. We offer a home especially for those who have been marginalized or excluded, trusting that God sees, values, and loves every person without exception.

Above all, we are an evangelical people, rooted in our relationship with Christ Jesus our Lord, and committed to sharing the Good News of His love and grace with the world.

Structure of the EACA

The Evangelical Anglican Church in America (EACA) is organized into three houses: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity. Leadership, organizational support, outreach, and ministry are shared responsibilities entrusted to the members of all three houses, reflecting the collaborative spirit of our church.

The EACA upholds the sacred validity of Holy Orders, preserved through an unbroken and historically attested chain of apostolic succession. Our sacraments are valid and offered to all the People of God, honoring the diversity of creation as a cornerstone of God’s abundant love and radical welcome for all.

We Are one

The Evangelical Anglican Church in America adheres to many of the traditions of the ancient catholic faith delivered to the teachings of the church fathers/mothers and Saints. We affirm the Apostolic Tradition, especially as expressed by the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Undivided Church, to the exclusion of all errors, and any affirmations of hate, exclusion, oppression, prejudice, sexism, racism, homophobia ancient and/or modern/contemporary.

We affirm the Old and New Testaments as an inspired conversation between God and God’s people. We look towards the early church Fathers/Mothers as some of our most reliable witnesses, for they were taught by the Apostles themselves. We believe scripture should be interpreted with the gifts of reason, the wisdom of Christian tradition, and a deep respect for the diverse experiences and perspectives within the Church. We likewise affirm the Nicene Creed, the Apostles Creed, and the Creed of St. Athanasius as “Statements of Faith.”

We are holy

The EACA believes that all creation is holy and that all the diversity of creation reflects the magnificent image of God. We acknowledge the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Marriage/Matrimony, Holy Orders/Ordination, and Anointing/Unction of the Sick as objective and effective signs of the continuing presence and saving activity of Christ our Lord among God’s people and affirm God’s continuing expressions of love and mercy.

We Are Affirming and Welcoming

The EACA believes in Respect, Diversity, Inclusion and Welcome for all of God’s Creation. We affirm that all are welcome at God’s table, and no one can be excluded from God's lavish love.

The EACA does not discriminate based on class, gender, physical challenge, marital status, race, or sexual orientation/identity/expression. We proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, allow all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God expressed in a table of welcome and love and acceptance for all.

EACA is ESTABLISHED

The EACA was officially established as a canonical ecclesiastical jurisdiction in 1994, with the Consecration of The Rev. Msgr. Craig Bettendorf, a clergyman of the Philippine Independent Church (itself in communion with “Old Catholics”), for its episcopacy, and the promulgation of a Constitution and Codex of Canon Law.

Its primary mission has always been to build up Christ’s Church. Jesus’ command that “all might become one through the Creator” is sincerely embraced. Bishop Bettendorf devoted a significant portion of his life to church planting across the United States. His objective, rather radical at that time, was to provide a place where sincere men and women called to sacramental ministry could answer that call irrespective of their sexual orientation/identity.

Following an agreement in 1995 between Bishop Bettendorf and Most Rev. Charles Finn of the Liberal Catholic Church International (a 1941 reorganization of the Old Catholic Church in England), the Church partnered with the LCCI’s St. Alban’s Theological Seminary to create the Anglican Institute for Affirmative Christian Studies (AIACS) to prepare students for ordained service within the Church.

Upon the retirement of Bishop Bettendorf in 2004, Bishop Rusty Smith was installed as Presiding Bishop, who serves as the ecclesiastical superior and Ordinary of parishes, missions, and faith communities, as well as individual clergy present throughout the country. The Bishop is also the direct spiritual and jurisdictional authority of clergy (whose ordination rituals have had appropriate matter and form, together with Catholic intention) located internationally who have sworn to conform to the Constitution and Canons of the Church. In 2017, the Church consecrated Bishop Kevin Champion, who is currently Presiding Bishop and serves in partnership with Bishop Rusty Smith in the EACA House of Bishops, which also includes Canon Paul McCright.

Apostolic Succession

The Church was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, of which He is the head, and it is the living manifestation of His presence in the history of humankind. The most conspicuous characteristics of Churches which consider themselves “catholic” are a rich liturgical life and faithfulness to the apostolic tradition. The Evangelical Anglican Church in America (EACA) is a contemporary manifestation of the preservation of tradition and continuity of the ancient Church.

The EACA asserts an unbroken episcopal succession in the Old Catholic Church through the Roman Catholic Church in Holland, organized in 696 AD, later becoming an Arch-Episcopal See and, in 1125, subsequently receiving from Pope Eugene III the right to elect its own bishops independently of Rome. This partial autonomy was affirmed by the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 and, subsequently, in 1520 by Pope Leo X through the bull De Vito Pastoralis. This branch of the Church separated from Rome in 1739, forming the Old Roman Catholic Church. Following the First Vatican Council in 1870, several Catholics protested the doctrine of Papal Infallibility. They separated from Rome to form what became known as the Old Catholic Church, preserving the historic episcopal succession received through the Old Roman Catholic Church at Utrecht.

An Old Catholic Church was established in Great Britain and Ireland in 1908 when, for fear that Anglican Ordinals were deficient, the Earl of Landaff (Arnold Harris Mathew) was consecrated as its first bishop. In 1910, Bishop Mathew severed connection with the Union of Utrecht due to growing modernist heresies, which were to culminate in 1932 with Utrecht establishing inter-communion with the Anglican Church. Then, in 1914, Prince-Bishop Rudolph de Landas Berghes, an Austrian nobleman, ordained an Old Catholic bishop in Great Britain, but, being unable to return to Austria due to the outbreak of World War I, settled in America, where he established the Old Catholic Church here.

Secondary lines of succession within the EACA arise from the Roman Catholic (Brazil), Orthodox (Antioch, Constantinople, Alexandria, and Russia), and Eastern Uniate (Armenian, Chaldean, Greek Melkite, and Syrian-Malabar) Churches. Taken together, these several lines guarantee the Catholicity and Sacramental Validity of the EACA. From this tradition, Bishops delegate to the priesthood inherited powers, act as their pastors, and hold a particular teaching office with respect to the wider Church. Bishop Craig Bettendorf consecrated Rusty Smith in 2004, and Bishop Smith became the Presiding Bishop. In 2017, Bishop Kevin Champion was consecrated in the apostolic line, and the New American Catholic Church was added to our denominational lineage.

VOCATIONS

Through our baptism we are all called to ministry, serving Christ, the Church, and those around us in the world. Some of us, however, feel a particular call to ordained ministry in and through the church. The EACA maintains the traditional three branches of ordained ministry: Deacons, Priests, and Bishops.

Persons who may be interested in the possibility of formation and ordination in the EACA can initiate the conversation with an EACA clergy person they may know, that is in their area (see Clergy Listing), or by contacting Bishop Kevin Champion as listed below. Applicants must be persons of good character, have a genuine desire to serve in and the through the church, and must have completed or be willing to complete basic coursework in Biblical Studies, Church History, Anglicanism, Theology, Ethics/Justice Studies, Liturgy and Worship, Homiletics, and Pastoral Care.

The Formation process is individualized based upon what the candidate brings to the process and therefore the length of time required prior to ordination will vary from one person to another. The process for consideration as a Postulant and potential candidate for ordination includes:

Initial conversations with an EACA clergy or Bishop.
Submission of a completed application form, copies of transcripts from all college/seminary/graduate school work completed, and three required reflection papers (Biographical, Theological, and Ministry) to Bishop Kevin.
Upon receipt of the complete application packet, all materials are evaluated with further dialogue regarding the applicants calling and intentions for ordained ministry.
If approved the application receives notification of acceptance as a Postulate for Formation with recommendations regarding further study or personal work that may be needed.
The new Postulant is matched with an EACA clergy person who will serve as a personal mentor during the Formation process.
The Candidate communicates regularly with his/her mentor and Bishop Kevin, completing all required coursework needed.

At the completion of the Formation Process, if the candidate is found to be successful in his/her work and presentation of him/herself, with the
recommendation of the House of Bishops, the candidate may be ordained Deacon (Permanent or Transitional). Following a period of time of service the Transitional Deacon may be ordained Priest.

If you have further questions or wish to discuss the possibility of Formation and Ordination, please contact the presiding bishop.
Bishop Kevin Champion: [email protected]

Ecumenical Relationship and Communion With WELCOMING Communities

The EACA is committed to Ecumenical Shared Ministry between Christians of different traditions, worshipping and serving God in a unified way, while still maintaining their denominational identities and connections. Although it maintains its independence from both Rome and the Anglican Communion, intercommunion with all other Apostolic and Catholic Churches is sought, provided that agreement in the essentials of Faith and Order is first reached. The unity of the Church is manifested in common faith and communion in the sacraments, but Christ alone is the real Head of the Church. Thus, through a common experience of episcopacy, characterized by Apostolic Succession, along with a common and complex liturgical tradition, a measure of unity still certainly exists.

Our Ministries

Supporting Your Unique Calling
Our primary focus is on supporting you in your unique calling, whatever that may be. We believe that each member's spiritual journey is a distinct expression of God's purpose. We are committed to providing you with the resources and encouragement needed to explore your spiritual path with freedom and joy.

Engaging in Community
Outreach and service are vital expressions of our faith. Our community thrives with members eager to engage in meaningful service opportunities that share God’s love and grace. We encourage all clergy and members to connect deeply with their local communities, becoming a source of hope and support for those around them.
Nurturing Your Aspirations
We joyfully embrace the diverse interests and passions of our members. Whether you feel called to serve your community, guide others in their faith journey, engage in chaplaincy, or seek to deepen your spiritual understanding, we are here to provide the support and encouragement you need. Your journey might lead you into parish ministry, youth and family outreach, advocacy for social justice, or other fulfilling paths. We wholeheartedly celebrate your unique aspirations and are committed to walking alongside you as you explore the calling that resonates in your heart.
Empowering Local Congregations
We are dedicated to uplifting our local congregations and clergy. Our goal is to be a valuable resource, offering encouragement, prayer, and support tailored to the unique needs of each church. By strengthening our local leaders and congregations, we enhance the impact of our shared mission and foster a vibrant faith community.

Discovering Your Ministry
Every member of EACA plays a vital role within our church family. We invite you to explore your unique calling in a supportive and welcoming environment. Our doors are always open, and we are eager to walk alongside you, offering the encouragement necessary to fulfill your God-given purpose.
Through these ministries, we strive to embody the teachings of Jesus Christ and make a positive difference in the world around us. Together, let us share hope, love, and the transformative power of faith in action.