At Solomon’s Porch Phx, we identify as a Convergent Catholic church, and we are the mother church of the Convergent Catholic Communion - a jurisdiction within the Convergence and Independent Catholic movements. What does it mean that we are “Convergent” and “Catholic”?
Convergent in Expression
We are part of a larger movement of churches known as the Convergence Movement. In this movement, we believe in bringing together the different expressions of the universal Church. We see the Church as having four main streams: sacramental, evangelical, and charismatic and affirming.
Sacramental: The sacramental stream of the Church refers to the branches of Christianity that embrace the historic worship and traditions that united the Church since the apostolic age.
Evangelical: The evangelical stream of the Church refers to those within church history who have advocated for the Church's reform and renewal. This stream emphasizes God’s grace, faith, and the Bible, plus the importance of sharing our faith.
Charismatic: The charismatic stream of Christianity refers to those who believe in the continuing gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church throughout church history until today. We believe that Christians continue to experience signs and wonders as found in the New Testament.
Affirming: As an affirming church we believe that the Church is called to be an LGBT+ inclusive place. We believe that the Church is called to be inclusive of all people.
Being Convergent can mean many different things but for us it means that we are embracing the full message of Jesus Christ passed down through the ages. We believe that God wants us to be loving of all his people.
Convergent in Worship
In our community life and worship, we strive to authentically blend all of these streams so that the fullness of Christian tradition is lived out. Our parish includes people from many denominational backgrounds or none.
Our worship uses a local adaptation of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom; the common liturgy of the Eastern Rite Church ( found mostly in Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholics, etc ). Our liturgy reflects our belief in being an inclusive church while bringing the ancient faith to a modern world.
In addition to the Sunday Divine Liturgy, our parish life is filled with community events such as Bible study, prayer services, and meals.
Non-Roman Catholicism, Orthodox but non-Canonical
In America, the term “Catholic” is usually associated with the Roman Catholic Church, however, the term comes from a Biblical Greek term for “universal”. To be Catholic is to be a member of the Universal Church founded by Jesus and his first apostles. The Catholic faith is rooted in Scripture, Tradition, the Creeds, the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments), and the historic ministry of Deacons, Priests and Bishop (within Apostolic Succession).
Globally there are millions of non-Roman Catholics found in the many other Catholic churches (including the Orthodox, Old Catholic, Anglican, and many other churches). Still yet, several million more are independent of Canterbury, Constantinople, Rome and Utrecht). This loose collection of Catholics form what is known as Independent Catholicism.