Historical Congregations/Parishes desiring to affiliate : Situations and circumstances dictate the varying means available to receive whole congregations. Churches associated with the historical church (Anglican, Orthodox, and Catholic) are required to terminate your current jurisdictional relationship in accord with the canons or your church and/or your bylaws. The CEEC is keenly sensitive to the current atmosphere in some historic bodies and is willing to work with your church and bishop in coming to an amicable and proper transfer of relationship.
Protestant Churches/Ministries desiring to affiliate : Given the wide variety of church governments (elder-led, presbytery, and Episcopal), the CEEC requests that all documents be completed prior to full reception into the CEEC. There are several areas that require attention (i.e. are your ministers wishing to transfer? or, what is the disposition of your property? etc.) Involvement with a CEEC bishop is crucial to a successful transition and contact with the CEEC is encouraged to happen early in the process.
Independent Churches/Ministries desiring to affiliate : Independent churches and ministries tend to be very different from the historical church with a wide variety of leadership/church polity practices. Independent churches seeking to become part of the CEEC are encouraged to contact us early and set-up an exploratory/informational meeting with a bishop. Churches following the leadership of their pastor/minister/elder who themselves are coming into the CEEC must establish a formal relationship with the same bishop providing oversight to their clergy while they are a candidate for Holy Orders. (Note: approximately 90% of independent church bodies who contact the CEEC will affiliate - nearly 20% of the CEEC's growth last year was from independent churches... we share this with you as a means of projecting our commitment to work with you...)