30 Year Anniversary Celebration October 1st-3rd
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The Evangelical Episcopal Communion is an affiliation of individuals, churches, and ministries that embrace our common Christian heritage as represented through the Evangelical, Charismatic and Sacramental understandings of the historic, universal church.
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Archbishop
Dr. Russell McClanahan
Presiding Bishop & Patriarch
Evangelical Episcopal Communion Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Global Synod in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana — October 3, 2025 — The Evangelical Episcopal Communion (EEC) gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana, from October 1–3, 2025, to celebrate its 30th anniversary and to reflect on three decades of God’s faithfulness and growth.
Founded in 1995, the EEC has developed into a vibrant global communion that integrates evangelical faith, sacramental worship, and apostolic order. The 30th Anniversary Synod welcomed archbishops and bishops from across the United States, India, South Africa, and other regions, marking a significant milestone in the Communion’s international expansion.
During the synod, leaders celebrated the official inclusion of the Province of India, representing over 9 million members, and the reception of a new African jurisdiction with more than 3 million members. With these additions, the Evangelical Episcopal Communion now embraces a global fellowship of approximately 15 million believers engaged in ministry, education, and mission across numerous nations, including outreach efforts in several closed and restricted-access countries.
The three-day synod featured a series of workshops, plenary sessions, and worship gatherings addressing timely topics such as preaching to Generation Z, church-based nonprofit work, financial stewardship, apostolic succession, and global missions. The highlight of the gathering was the Thursday evening Eucharist, during which two deacons and two priests were ordained, an archbishop was consecrated, and the Province of India was formally established within the Communion.
Reflecting on the milestone, Archbishop Russell McClanahan, Primate of the Evangelical Episcopal Communion, stated:
“I stand amazed at what God has done over the last three decades. Who could have imagined that from our humble beginnings we would see such a global family of faith—working together to proclaim the Gospel and advance God’s kingdom in so many parts of the world?”
The Evangelical Episcopal Communion continues to build on its founding vision of unity in diversity, fostering partnerships among churches, ministries, and leaders committed to the Gospel, the sacraments, and the historic episcopate."
FAQ's
Q. How are the three elements or traditions within the Christian Church different?
From its inception, the Christian Church has affirmed that there is one God Who exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Over time, the Church became separated into three elements, also called streams or traditions. They include the Evangelical, the Charismatic and Sacramental. Simplistically put, they differ in that each one emphasizes a different Person of the Godhead.
The Evangelical element tends to center around Jesus Christ, the Son of God.. The focus is on grace, salvation, sound Biblical teaching and conforming one's life to the principles set forth in Scripture, as well as outreach and evangelism.
The Charismatic element focuses largely on the Holy Spirit of God, emphasizing a personal experience of God and empowerment for ministry. There is a strong conviction and expectation that God is actively working in the world today through healing, prophecy, spiritual gifts and miracles.
The Sacramental element reflects the fatherhood and authority of God. There is a deep reverence for church history, tradition, Apostolic Succession, and spiritual formation. The believer's mystical union with Christ through the tangible means of the sacraments and spiritual disciplines is central.
Q. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is a tangible means through which God imparts His grace. Some churches recognize two Gospel sacraments, baptism and Holy Communion (also called Eucharist or the Lord's Supper.) Sacramental churches recognize additional rites, or sacraments, which are: confirmation, ordination, marriage, absolution, and anointing of the sick.
Q. What is Apostolic Succession?
John 20:21-22 records that Jesus "breathed on" and commissioned His disciples as leaders of His church and guardians of its teachings and practices. The disciples in turn commissioned other disciples through the laying on of hands to act as their successors (called Bishops or Overseers.) This passing on of spiritual authority and responsibility from the original apostles in an unbroken line through generations is called Apostolic Succession. It exists to ensure that the church remains faithful to its apostolic roots and to provide accountability so that those who stray from them can be corrected.
Q. What are spiritual gifts?
A spiritual gift is a supernatural capability given to a person by God for the purpose of building up the faith of that person as well as that of the larger body of Christ. Instances of where the topic of spiritual gifts and their use is addressed can be found in 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through14, Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:7-16.