The Constitution of the Progressive Episcopal Church
Article One - NAME
The name of this organization is the Progressive Episcopal Church, hereinafter referred to as “the Church”.
Article Two – PRINCIPLES OF UNITY, VISION, MISSION AND IDENTITY
The Principles of Unity, Vision, Mission and Identity are the defining statements of the purpose of the Church.
PRINCIPLES OF UNITY
WE ARE PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANS
The realities of contemporary life are radically different than those of First Century Palestine. The Progressive
Episcopal Church accepts the challenge of discovering and experiencing the eternal and universal truths found
within the ancient Christian faith in the context of modern life.
WE ARE AN EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY
The Progressive Episcopal Church ('episcopal' is the English derivation of the New Testament Greek
επίσκοπος episcopos 'overseer, guardian') is a community of Christians who acknowledge and embrace the
Historic Episcopate, the traditional succession of bishops from the time of the earliest Christian communities.
The bishops of the Progressive Episcopal Church continue this ancient and honored tradition and have each been
consecrated in the Historic Episcopate through the laying on of hands by bishops who have been ordained in the
succession of the Apostles.
The bishops of the Progressive Episcopal Church embrace the traditional threefold order of deacon,
priest/presbyter and bishop.
WE ARE A CHURCH OF EQUALS
Conferences have been held in the Christian Church since its beginning. Mutual consultation and collaboration
are integral to becoming an effective community.
The Progressive Episcopal Church is a community of mutual sharing, support, encouragement and collaboration,
united in the work of making the Vision of a progressive expression of the ancient Christian faith a contemporary
reality.
PRINCIPLES OF VISION
The Progressive Episcopal Church has the vision of becoming a community that proclaims and demonstrates a
contemporary expression of the ancient Christian faith based on these principles:
•The ancient Christian faith can be a relative expression of the universal truth that all life is sacred and united
•Christianity is one of many paths on the journey of experiencing the divine and all people are free to explore
and discover the heritage of diverse spiritual traditions
•A progressive Christian community is inclusive of all and exclusive of none and denounces discrimination
based on gender, race, sexuality, nationality, language, culture, religion, disability or other distinguishing feature
•Participating in the "Great Commission" (St. Mark 16:15) requires demonstration of the liberating message of
the Gospel, not just its proclamation. We must practice what we preach
•Progress on the journey of spiritual development requires we welcome and encourage the questioning of
traditional and contemporary interpretations of the Christian faith
•The Gospel message of Jesus Christ compels all believers to struggle for justice and peace among all people and
to become dedicated advocates for the poor and oppressed
•The Christian faith includes reverence and care for the Earth and all created things
•The Christian faith is a journey of spiritual development and requires a commitment to continuous learning,
progress, grace and love
PRINCIPLES OF MISSION
The mission of the Progressive Episcopal Church is to:
1. Witness to Christ's saving, forgiving and reconciling love for all people
2. Build welcoming and transforming communities of faith
3. Stand in solidarity with the poor and needy
4. Challenge violence, injustice and oppression, and work for peace and reconciliation
5. Protect, care for and renew life on our planet
PRINCIPLES OF IDENTITY
Although independent of the Church of England, the Progressive Episcopal Church acknowledges and identifies
with the historic Anglican Christian heritage and tradition and celebrates the historical significance of the
episcopal See of Canterbury.
Article Three -GOVERNANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
The Church shall be governed by a Council of Bishops acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons.
Each member bishop is independent in the governance and organizational affairs of their respective ministry.
Nothing in the Constitution or Canons shall be understood to allow the Council of Bishops or the Presiding
Bishop to interfere in the ordinary ecclesiastical affairs of any member of the Council of Bishops which do not
violate the spirit of the Constitution or Canons.
Any bishop validly consecrated in the Historic Episcopate, and possessing ordinary ecclesiastical authority of
an episcopal ministry, and in general agreement with the Principles of Unity, Vision, Mission and Identity of the
Church is eligible to apply for membership in the Council of Bishops.
Faith communities, ministers and individuals under the ordinary ecclesiastical authority of a member of the
Council of Bishops is considered a member of the Progressive Episcopal Church. Each member bishop is
independent in the governance and organizational affairs of their respective ministry.
Recognizing the universal nature of the episcopate, member bishops do not consecrate others to the office of
bishop without a majority vote of the Council of Bishops.
Qualified applicants may be elected to membership by a 51% majority vote of the Council of Bishops.
Membership may be suspended or terminated by a 2/3 majority vote of the Council of Bishops.
Article Four - AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
A 2/3 majority vote of two regular annual sessions of the Council of Bishops is required to amend the
Constitution.
---THIS CONSTITUTION ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 19, 2013---
The name of this organization is the Progressive Episcopal Church, hereinafter referred to as “the Church”.
Article Two – PRINCIPLES OF UNITY, VISION, MISSION AND IDENTITY
The Principles of Unity, Vision, Mission and Identity are the defining statements of the purpose of the Church.
PRINCIPLES OF UNITY
WE ARE PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANS
The realities of contemporary life are radically different than those of First Century Palestine. The Progressive
Episcopal Church accepts the challenge of discovering and experiencing the eternal and universal truths found
within the ancient Christian faith in the context of modern life.
WE ARE AN EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY
The Progressive Episcopal Church ('episcopal' is the English derivation of the New Testament Greek
επίσκοπος episcopos 'overseer, guardian') is a community of Christians who acknowledge and embrace the
Historic Episcopate, the traditional succession of bishops from the time of the earliest Christian communities.
The bishops of the Progressive Episcopal Church continue this ancient and honored tradition and have each been
consecrated in the Historic Episcopate through the laying on of hands by bishops who have been ordained in the
succession of the Apostles.
The bishops of the Progressive Episcopal Church embrace the traditional threefold order of deacon,
priest/presbyter and bishop.
WE ARE A CHURCH OF EQUALS
Conferences have been held in the Christian Church since its beginning. Mutual consultation and collaboration
are integral to becoming an effective community.
The Progressive Episcopal Church is a community of mutual sharing, support, encouragement and collaboration,
united in the work of making the Vision of a progressive expression of the ancient Christian faith a contemporary
reality.
PRINCIPLES OF VISION
The Progressive Episcopal Church has the vision of becoming a community that proclaims and demonstrates a
contemporary expression of the ancient Christian faith based on these principles:
•The ancient Christian faith can be a relative expression of the universal truth that all life is sacred and united
•Christianity is one of many paths on the journey of experiencing the divine and all people are free to explore
and discover the heritage of diverse spiritual traditions
•A progressive Christian community is inclusive of all and exclusive of none and denounces discrimination
based on gender, race, sexuality, nationality, language, culture, religion, disability or other distinguishing feature
•Participating in the "Great Commission" (St. Mark 16:15) requires demonstration of the liberating message of
the Gospel, not just its proclamation. We must practice what we preach
•Progress on the journey of spiritual development requires we welcome and encourage the questioning of
traditional and contemporary interpretations of the Christian faith
•The Gospel message of Jesus Christ compels all believers to struggle for justice and peace among all people and
to become dedicated advocates for the poor and oppressed
•The Christian faith includes reverence and care for the Earth and all created things
•The Christian faith is a journey of spiritual development and requires a commitment to continuous learning,
progress, grace and love
PRINCIPLES OF MISSION
The mission of the Progressive Episcopal Church is to:
1. Witness to Christ's saving, forgiving and reconciling love for all people
2. Build welcoming and transforming communities of faith
3. Stand in solidarity with the poor and needy
4. Challenge violence, injustice and oppression, and work for peace and reconciliation
5. Protect, care for and renew life on our planet
PRINCIPLES OF IDENTITY
Although independent of the Church of England, the Progressive Episcopal Church acknowledges and identifies
with the historic Anglican Christian heritage and tradition and celebrates the historical significance of the
episcopal See of Canterbury.
Article Three -GOVERNANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
The Church shall be governed by a Council of Bishops acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons.
Each member bishop is independent in the governance and organizational affairs of their respective ministry.
Nothing in the Constitution or Canons shall be understood to allow the Council of Bishops or the Presiding
Bishop to interfere in the ordinary ecclesiastical affairs of any member of the Council of Bishops which do not
violate the spirit of the Constitution or Canons.
Any bishop validly consecrated in the Historic Episcopate, and possessing ordinary ecclesiastical authority of
an episcopal ministry, and in general agreement with the Principles of Unity, Vision, Mission and Identity of the
Church is eligible to apply for membership in the Council of Bishops.
Faith communities, ministers and individuals under the ordinary ecclesiastical authority of a member of the
Council of Bishops is considered a member of the Progressive Episcopal Church. Each member bishop is
independent in the governance and organizational affairs of their respective ministry.
Recognizing the universal nature of the episcopate, member bishops do not consecrate others to the office of
bishop without a majority vote of the Council of Bishops.
Qualified applicants may be elected to membership by a 51% majority vote of the Council of Bishops.
Membership may be suspended or terminated by a 2/3 majority vote of the Council of Bishops.
Article Four - AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
A 2/3 majority vote of two regular annual sessions of the Council of Bishops is required to amend the
Constitution.
---THIS CONSTITUTION ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 19, 2013---