1. Is ARC opposed to ECUSA?

ARC is a movement intended to nurture the development of Christian communities worldwide focused on actively spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We want to partner with any Christian church or group that shares this focus, including like-minded parishes within ECUSA. We honor the reformed theology and traditions of Anglicanism, and thus share much in common with many Episcopal, and other worldwide Anglican, dioceses and parishes. We are not part of ECUSA, but recognize that there are Godly bishops and congregations within ECUSA with whom we would gladly partner.

   

2. Is ARC “fundamentalist”?

We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and contains “all things necessary for salvation.” We believe that Holy Scripture is both “wholly true” and “wholly trustworthy”: wholly true in that God, through the Holy Spirit, caused Scripture to contain His entire revelation to humankind; wholly trustworthy in that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, anyone who seeks to understand God’s will in his or her life will be enabled to understand what God says in Scripture regarding faith and life.

 

3. How is ARC different than AMiA, ACN, AAC, etc.?

The ACN congregations and the AMiA congregations are constituent members of larger bodies: the ACN is composed of ECUSA parishes and dioceses, while the AMiA is a mission of the Anglican Churches of Rwanda and Singapore. The AAC is composed of individuals and parishes representing the many Anglican expressions in the United States. AAC and ACN were formed to provide aid, comfort, and spiritual guidance to Episcopal Christians that feel that the national leadership of ECUSA, as well as many of its bishops and clergy, has abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ in favor of cultural humanism and liberal politics. AMiA has allowed “safe harbor” to faithful Episcopalians in a similar manner. In addition, though, AMiA is an evangelical Anglican movement operating independently of ECUSA. These bodies are, however, actively engaged in evangelism and Gospel teaching, and in this share much in common with the purposes of the ARC movement.

      

4. Do AMIA, ACN, and other Anglican Community bodies approve of ARC?

Although we are working closely with many Anglican organizations, and have been encouraged by them, we are not currently officially recognized by any of them.

 

5. Who are the leaders of ARC?

The Rt. Rev. Joseph Lee of Korea and the Rt. Rev. "Timothy" (pseudonym for security purposes) are our bishops.

 

6. Who is Bishop Lee?

The Right Reverend Joseph Dae-yong Lee resigned as diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Pusan in the Province of Korea to assume episcopal leadership over the ARC Movement.

 

7. Does ARC perform ministerial and sacramental functions?

The ordained clergy belonging to the ARC Movement perform all of the sacramental and ministerial functions recognized in the Anglican tradition.

 

8. How can I support ARC?

Donations to St. Paul/ARC may be sent to: 

The Diocese of St. Paul

1108 Kari Knoll Circle

Birmingham, AL 35244

 

The Diocese of St. Paul (dba Questnet-USA Community of Churches) is an incorporated religious organization that is tax exempt under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code.

 

9. Are donations to ARC tax-deductible?

Yes.

 

10. What is ARC’s legal/religious status?

St. Paul/ARC is a church organization incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Alabama.

 

11. Is ARC a new denomination?

St. Paul/ARC is a member of the Province of St. Peter of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Although ARC honors the theology and traditions of Anglicanism, it is not part of "Anglican Communion" defined by provinces that are “in communion” with the Archbishop of Canterbury.  Having said that, we hope it is clear from our foundational documents that we do not seek to be a denomination in the traditional sense, but to foster new “movements to Jesus” throughout the world.

 

12. Is ARC Anglican?

ARC seeks to honor the theology and traditions of historical Reformed Anglicanism, but is not constrained by the polity of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Right Reverend Joseph Lee and the Right Reverend Timothy are our bishops, and have sole episcopal authority over the ARC Movement under the auspices of the CEEC. We  recognize that the majority of the provinces and dioceses of the Anglican Communion are governed by pastors who seek to make Christ known in the same manner and with the same passion that we exercise. We seek to work together with these brothers and sisters in every possible way, and are in no way in competition with them. The particular expression of the Protestant Reformation known as Anglicanism is our heritage, and its doctrine, theology, and traditions are precious to us. More precious than these, however, is principle of ONGOING reform, UNDER the Word, IN the Body, THROUGH the Spirit; by being faithful to this principle, it is our belief that we are better enabled to be the presence of Christ in whatever circumstances or cultural contexts the Holy Spirit calls us to.  

 

13. Does ARC ordain women and accept them in leadership roles?

Yes.

 

14. What are ARC’s doctrinal statements?

These may be found in documents available on this web site: “The ARC Movement,” “The ARC Statement,” and the “ARC Apology.”

 

15. Does ARC take a position on sexuality/homosexuality/same-sex marriage?

Because the ARC Movement recognizes the authority of Holy Scripture on these matters, and because Scripture consistently and universally considers homosexual acts as sinful, we consider such acts, and any relationship in which such acts are practiced, to be outside the will of God for his people. Because we are reformed, catholic Christians, however, we also understand that every man and woman is, by nature, a sinner. Therefore, we welcome all men and women who are sincerely seeking the Lord into the ARC movement without regard to the nature or type of their temptation.

ARC upholds and honors the Biblical teaching that marriage is defined and ordained by God to be the union of one man and one woman, and that the only sexual expression blessed by God occurs within the context of marriage. Therefore, we adhere to the God's call for faithfulness in marriage and chastity in singleness.

 

16. How do individuals, clergy, and congregations join or affiliate with ARC?

Please contact the Membership Director identified on this web site.

 

17. What is St. Paul/ARC’s current membership?

ARC is currently composed of congregations in Birmingham, Alabama, Bakersfield, California, and various countries in Asia.

 

18. Why doesn’t St. Paul/ARC respect conciliar systems and Church authority?

 

The Diocese of St. Paul/ARC, as part of the worldwide Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, respects the conciliar and episcopal authorities within the Anglican Communion as well as other polities within the Christian community. ARC recognizes, however, that in many cases these bodies are “broken”, and not operating in God’s will as we understand it. Thus we cannot accept the governance of these bodies where they hinder our work to fulfill God’s call to us.

 

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