Our Personal and Collective Responses to God
by the Rev. Mark R. Galloway
Superintendent of Church of The Apostles (Evangelical Anglican), Coventry, Rhode Island
The Church of The Apostles, Coventry, Rhode Island, has been a member of the CCCC since 2008. What a joy it has been for our congregation to belong to a Conference that fosters an environment of unity and liberty. It has been a pleasure for us to engage with our sister congregations in “the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). Because every local church of the CCCC is an expression of the whole Body, the Church of The Apostles has been committed to vigilance in our relationship to the Conference. We have upheld the doctrines and principles of the Conference, regularly attended regional meetings as well as the Annual Family Conference, have faithfully and sacrificially supported the Conference with our finances, and were very glad to participate in the Comprehensive Campaign.
Believing that our membership in the CCCC is not only a privilege but also involves responsibility, we have fulfilled “our fellowship, ministry and financial obligations to the Conference to the best of our ability by participation in national and regional activities, by contribution to the Conference budget, and by other means as time and resources present” (CCCC Code of Ethics for Churches).
In gratitude to Almighty God for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord; and believing that, to the glory of God, the task of the CCCC, and the entire church of Jesus Christ, is three-fold: the worship of God, the edification of the saints, and the evangelization of the world, we believe there is a definite need among the congregationally governed churches of historic Biblical persuasion to live the gospel of mutual dependence.
As true stewards of God’s grace, all Christians (and the Congregations to which we belong), are called to recognize that our lives in Jesus are not independent from other saints, but rather are personal and collective responses to God, lived out within the community of faith to benefit the whole Body of Christ and the world (cf. Romans 12:4–5, 2 Corinthians 8:13–14).
These are exciting times for the CCCC. There is a great sense of anticipation of God’s work in and through the ministry of our Conference. What an honor and joy it is to belong to a fellowship that truly desires to be “a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).
