Vocations - Independent Catholic Christian Church

ORDAINED MINISTRY IN THE INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Ordained ministry in the Independent Catholic Christian Church exists to serve the people of God, especially in the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and to give praise and testimony to the greater glory of God. Eremitical and monastic ministries are as valid as public ministries. All clergy must be in full agreement with our Statement of Faith, must be bound by the Canons and policies of the ICCC, and must be willing to welcome a variety of liturgical expressions ranging from traditional to contemporary.

Our clergy support themselves financially in secular jobs, and live their ministries alongside these jobs. The ICCC has no paid positions, and provides no benefits such as insurance or retirement.

Applying for candidacy to the ordained ministry does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Likewise, becoming a candidate does not guarantee approval for ordination, nor does entry into the probationary period by transferring clergy guarantee final acceptance. This is a natural outcome of active discernment, and the Independent Catholic Christian Church takes this decision process seriously.

Christ the Eternal High Priest Institute for Pastoral Studies

Those recognizing a call to ordained ministry and service in the community of the Independent Catholic Christian Church should contact:

Vocations Director: ICCCVocations@gmail.com

Bishop: Timothy Cravens stmikeandsttim@yahoo.com

If after discussion and discernment preparation for ordination in this jurisdiction seems appropriate, the aspirant will be sent and application. The aspirant will submit the application, two references, and a check for $25.00 (the cost of a background check). In addition, the Bishop will meet with the aspirant in person before final acceptance is granted.

Preparation for ordination requires completion of the Christ the Eternal High Priest Institute for Pastoral Studies program of reading and practical experience under the direction of Bishop Cravens. The program requires at least two years before ordination to the diaconate and three years to the priesthood. Important: The Institute offers quality instruction but is NOT accredited and does NOT offer academic degrees.

Clergy Incardination

After concluding this jurisdiction is a better place exercise ministry than their current situation, clergy desiring to transfer to the Independent Catholic Christian Church should contact:

Vocations Director: ICCCVocations@gmail.com

Bishop: Timothy Cravens stmikeandsttim@yahoo.com

If it is concluded that preparation for incardination into the Independent Catholic Christian Church is appropriate, the clergymember will be sent an application. The clergymember will submit the application, two references, and a $25.00 check to cover the cost of a background check. The Bishop will meet with the clergymember in person before final acceptance.

As part of the application process, the clergymember's education and experience will be evaluated to determine if further preparation is required. If so, the bishop will direct which courses the clergymember will be required to complete.

Upon acceptance, the clergymember will be granted probationary status for a year. If the Bishop and clergymember decide after completion of the year, that the clergymember's membership in the jurisdiction is beneficial to both, then permanent clergy status will be granted.

Episcopal Consecration

Bishop Timothy Cravens will participate only in consecrations for the Independent Catholic Christian Church, jurisdictions in full communion with it, and occaisionally other jurisdictions with close relations of long standing. In all cases, candidates for consecration must be in agreement with the standards for full communion (whether or not a formal agreement is in place) found on our Ecumenical Relations page. Individuals seeking consecration to the episcopate, who do not meet the criteria above, should seek elsewhere.

Updated: July 17, 2007