User:AnglicanJohn

The Anglican Diocese of Texas was founded in 1995 as The Anglican Missionary Diocese of Texas, originally part of the Southern Episcopal Church. The first Bishop Ordinary was The Most Reverend Walter A. Gerth, D.D., who served in that position until his death on June12, 2010, in Fort Worth. Bishop Gerth guided the growth of the Diocese as it developed its traditional basis and expanded to several parishes throughout Texas. In 2008, the name was changed to The Anglican Diocese of Texas. Upon Bishop Gerth's death, he was succeeded by The Right Reverend John McClellan Marshall, OSL, and the See was established in Dallas. It maintains the Apostolic Succession of Bishops and the Three-Fold Orders of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. This Apostolic Succession is traced back to the Apostle St. Peter and is symbolic of the fidelity of the Church to the Bible and the Faith, illustrates the Universality of the Christian Faith, and has no meaning apart from this fidelity. The Diocese preserves the Sacred Ministry in accordance with the unbroken Scriptural Tradition of the One Holy Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. The Diocese preserves the Scriptural Authority of the Ordained Ministry, while acknowledging the Laity’s right to determine the Financial and Temporal Policy of the Church in the light of the demands of the Gospel. The Anglican Diocese of Texas seeks to present the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ in a manner relevant to man’s needs in each age and generation and to bring all ages and peoples to a knowledge of the Gospel. The government of the Diocese resides in an annual unicameral Synod consisting of the Bishops and other Clergy in good standing, and Lay Delegates from each Congregation. Our only task is to bring mankind, through the Gospel, to salvation through their Faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that man’s eternal destiny is of more importance than his political or social aspirations. It is also the duty of the Church to care for the sick, the aged and the infirm. These corporate works of mercy must be undertaken within the context of bringing men, women and children to a lively Faith. The Christian should exercise his duties as a citizen in the world around him in the light of his Gospel-inspired conscience. We hold that the Bible is the account of God’s final revelation to man, and contains all things necessary unto Salvation. The Apostles and Nicene Creeds serve as our statement of Faith and as outlines to the Bible, teaching the essential Doctrines of the Holy Faith. The universally accepted teachings of the Councils of the Undivided Church are binding on all Orthodox Christians. The Sacraments are the Means of Grace necessary for our growth into Christ. As a Christian community, we willingly assume the obligation to educate the young and support the mature in Christian beliefs and ethics. The Diocese uses the traditional Anglican liturgy as expressed in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer in all public worship, and believes that the language used in that book expresses in a beautiful, clear, and precise manner all the essential ingredients of true worship. As of mid-2012, the Diocese consists of five parishes, with an additional one in formation. The Anglican Diocese of Texas maintains intercommunion agreements with the North American Anglican Conference, The Anglican Episcopal Church, and The Catholic Charismatic Church [Old Catholic Succession]. Further information can be found on the website: www.anglicandioceseoftexas.org.