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Back in the day, when it was announced that Malcolm Smith had joined the CEC and later to be consecrated a bishop, there was a flood of “Malcolm disciples” who followed suit. Malcolm would later have to lay down his episcopal orders so that he could leave the CEC so he could get married again. It seems that most of his disciples followed him out of the CEC after him or at least later.
Well you can see him in Bandera, TX where he apparently operates a teaching ministry there where you can also take retreats with him. He is referring to himself as Bishop Malcolm Smith still to this day even though he was forced to lay down his orders as a bishop when leaving the CEC. He also is the leader of the Zoe Community of the Holy Spirit… some quasi-religious order where I think you get to pay for the privilege of being an oblate.
Again, there is life after the CEC. Blessings to you, Malcolm!
You can check out his website here.
The Central and Northeast Provinces seem to be neck-and-neck as far as number of states/territories between them – 15 for each. Both provinces were given additional states after the shakeup of last summer.
However, it appears to me that the Northeast seems very stable compared to the very shaky and undeveloped Central. The ICCEC website seems to be updated every presidential election and it’s still showing 2 churches in Wisconsin (Central) when really there is only 1 (Bread of Life). There are 10 out of a possible 15 states with no churches or presence in them at all.
Compare that with the Northeast with 2 out of 15 with no activity. The rest of the Northeast has churches or resident clergy with some activity happening there… I’m guessing.
The greatest luck and the hope of any future of the CEC in the US is to see what is driving the growth in the Northeast and see if it can be applied elsewhere. Something must be going right if there are a higher percentage of churches where there are full time clergy serving them. Someone might want to look into that…
When I had heard that Watchman Nee’s book “Spiritual Authority” was on a reading list for the St. Michael’s “Seminary” (where if you went through the program, paid your fees and wrote papers no one would read, you could be the proud owner of a worthless Master of Ministry degree in 6 short years!), I should have known that the CEC was setting up an authoritarian structure that had a Roman Catholic exterior but really a throwback to the 1970s “discipleship / shepherding” movement from the early charismatic movement.
Watchman Nee was against the idea of clergy as he rejected the idea as unscriptural. But, he was a big proponent for a strong elder form of government in the local church. This has been fuel to the fire for a lot of what goes on in the Rector’s Council model. Nee and his elders were not to be questioned. Much like the CEC’s Council model. Once the council has spoken, that’s the end.
There are lots of stories out there in the CEC where one must bring job promotions, vacations and where to buy a house before the Rector’s Council. I always found that notion strange and never submitted to it. Mostly because I was expected to find a job that could allow me to be bi-vocational for the church. The vacation time I had from my secular job was applied toward ministry. Any extra vacation time I earned was for me and didn’t need to go to the Rector’s Council for their approval. Or so I thought.
I was asked by the brothers … “Why didn’t you go to the Council to see if a vacation time would be OK?” I just pretended like I never heard it simply because it wasn’t anyone else’s damn business!
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Here’s a prophetic word by Randy Adler on “Dominion.” (mp3)
Try not to laugh when he says references him stealing from you or institutions stealing from you, etc…
There’s some bizarre backnoise in this recording so it kind of makes it tough to listen to. That and the actual content.
While scouring the web, I found ex-Archbishop Randy Sly’s resume:
Randy Sly resume
Under “RECENT MINISTERIAL EMPLOYMENT” you can find this note:
**Note: On November 1, 2006 I tendered my resignation as an archbishop in the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.
I have no real agenda for posting this… I just found it interesting.
Since I was criticized for doing the “devil’s work” in my attempt at catharsis on this here blog, I share with you this observation from Bishop Rick Painter, formerly with the Charismatic Episcopal Church and now with the Communion of Christ the Redeemer (humorously referred to as CEC version 2.0). This letter of his was published last summer on the ancient-future forum and it sheds a great deal of light as to the cultic nature surrounding Randolph Adler.
Though some of the letter pasted below is dated (dealing with Kenneth Myers in particular), some of the info is really quite good from Bishop Painter in setting the scene “behind the scenes” at the episcopal level of government in the CEC. If you haven’t seen this before, it’s worth a read.
Dear Kenneth and other Bishops:
I have waited until now to respond to this email. My purpose was to calm myself down and to order my thoughts before responding. It would have been very easy to act in frustration, temper, and revulsion. This is only another straw on the proverbial “camels’ back”. It is, to me, one more illustration of what is plaguing the CEC.I find myself quite distressed today. We have gone around and around on dealing with “issues” and, in my view, have refused to deal with the “core issue”, namely that the CEC has become a “personality cult” and the defense of the “patriarch” is to be done at all costs…regardless of how many clergy, churches, and laity, are wounded and compelled to go elsewhere. I realize this single statement will result in angry denouncements and my email box will fill up. So be it.
The fact that the only correspondence that + Ken has received was two emails to “rebuff” him for not following some protocol, due process, or some procedural policy is beynd belief! First, since when do processes, procedures, or protocols take precedence over “hurting people”?! My God, what have we come to in trying to protect one person and his position?! I was “sickened” when I read of this incident and I called my brother just to love on him and Shirley and offer my prayers and help in anyway. Regardless, of what happened it was obvious that he and Shirley were hurting. My offer to help was what I was taught is the expected response of a Christian. Second, I was in a state of unbelief that after 10 days there was no response from +Ken’s fellow members of the Patriarch’s Council. Why?! (So much for the CEC being built on “relationships”!) 3. Where was “due protocol, due process, and procedures in + Phil Zampino’s situation? When did he receive a list of charges in writing? When did he receive a hearing? When did he get to face his accuser or accusers? When was the House of Bishops notified of his impending hearing and of the charges against him? We are told we have to follow the Canons…since when? Our leaders only invoke the Canons when they want something to go their way. Even Abp. Jones said, “they should have been written on toilet paper in explaining how much they were ignored”. It does cause one to question what is going on. It gives occasion for doubt and question as to motives and actions. Brothers, this is a mess!
Gentlemen, I wish to share briefly, what I shared with +Sly last summer. >From my years of experience I am convinced that we are dealing with a “cultic” spirit. In seminary I taught the men that the most important gift for the clergy is “discerning of spirits”. We have all seen those that seemed so “right” and were, in actual point of fact, so “wrong”. Not in what they said but, in the “spirit” behind it. Also, we have all seen those that started “right on” and became “way out”. This, to me, is where we are. A few signs of “cultism”: 1. Control information and discussion thereby squelching dissent. 2. Preach the same thing repeatedly…indoctrination. 3. Divide the group and isolate individuals…marginalize to minimize credibilty. 4. All money goes “up” and only enough comes “down” to appease the critics. 5. Use and abuse of those that are at various levels of leadership forcing submission without question. Keeps everybody in their place. This is only a few, there are many others…but, these illustrate my point.How does this apply to the CEC?
What follows is from a teaching I did in 1989 entitled, “CHARISMATIC WITCHCRAFT: THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN THE CHURCH”. The acronym “mind” serves at this time. M-anipulation; I-ntimidation; N-egotiation; and D-omination. Those at the head of “cultic” groups will manipulate, intimidate, and even, negotiate just to maintain their positions and income…read, to dominate! This is a major problem throughout the Charismatic Churches, and is what we in the CEC are facing now. I am not saying that Abp. Adler is a witch only that he is operating in the spirit behind it…check Galatians 5:19-21. It is time to be honest and admit that these terms describe what has been happening in the CEC. The instances are too numerous to list suffice it to say we are all aware of times when one, or more, of these devices have been used to silence all of us and to make us fall in line.
I point this out to address + Ken’s letters. This event must focus us on the larger problem…the head of our church is “sick” and “dysfunctional”. We, also must, admit we have all failed in our duties as bishops in not confronting these things long ago. We have become like the abused members of the family of an abusive father. We hate what he does…and, yet, cover for him and thus enable him to continue in his warped behavior. When you have an egotistic, defensive neurotic in leadership you have a formula for disaster. And, when we have been manipulated, intimidated, and negotiated into being dominated all in the name of “love” and “covering the weaknesses” of a brother, we have been cowardly and have let down the clergy and people of the CEC. Please note the all inclusive pronouns I am using…I am guilty of not standing up when and as, I should. For this I have repented and do repent to you my Brothers. NEVER AGAIN!
My Brothers, if the grievance of + Ken and Shirley is not addressed immediately we should be ashamed of ourselves! Those that have the authority to do so must call for the convening of the appropriate council to deal with this deplorable situation. To wait until September is to belittle Shirley and to insult + Ken. If it was any of our wives we would be raising hell instead of employing these delaying tactics. I join +Ken in calling for the resignation of Abp. Adler and, I would also add, we need to move the headquarters out of San Clemente. A sabbatical will not suffice! There has been too much lost of confidence, trust, and willingness in dealing with our Brother to place him back in authority. He definitely needs to be restored however, that does not necessarily mean to an “office”. We are dealing with a lifestyle of “prophetic over emphasis and abuse” and of a management style that contributes to the confusion and disorder that presently exists. When one “under the guise of hearing the Spirit” couches everything in “hyper spirituality” it is very difficult, if not impossible for them to change.
I appreciate your patience in reading this too long email. It is just unbelievable to me that + Ken cannot get a response to his correspondence and charges…I am appalled by the failure to communicate to a brother that is one of us, our friend! I realize my letter may hurt his situation more than to help it…as I know where I stand in the eyes of some of you…however, to remain silent would be more cowardice on my part…NO MORE, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!
Pro Dei Regno,
+ Rick Painter
Though this has died down considerably since last summer, here is a list of charges against the Charismatic Episcopal Church:
The diocesan in Kansas has encouraged his parish to go through what he calls “Netmending.” Before you can go through this “ministry,” you must fill out a form that asks a battery of questions. Hence, the Bishop, his wife, the Dean and his wife know just about everything there is to know about your life from childhood to present day.
See the questionnaire here:
Intergenerational Healing Questionnaire
Just in case anyone is wondering, this isn’t top secret information. It’s on the front page of the church website: http://www.ccotk.org That’s how important this ministry is in order to maintain control in the lives of the members of this church.
Fr. Mark Wallace and his former congregation of Holy Trinity CEC converts to Orthodoxy.
Best estimates on the current status of the CEC:
- 90 parishes and missions in the US
- 11 bishops in the US
- 207 priests in the US
- 123 deacons in the US
How many are actual viable churches?
How many are working with full-time clergy (besides Cathedral parishes and the odd exception parish with the luxury of a full time Priest)?
How many are “paper churches” (one large family in a basement celebrating Communion acting as a “church”)?
I have always marveled at how the CEC in the US never quite got off the ground. However, the CEC always had such explosive growth in areas such as Africa and Southeast Asia.
Could it be the management of the US church was so much more top heavy than in other parts of the world? And with that top heavy emphasis on administration, a greater emphasis on money getting kicked upstairs to the next level?
Could it be that the personality cult around Randy Adler didn’t quite filter down to the rest of the world where the greatest amount of growth was occurring?
I realize there are more questions than answers on this post. This is what has troubled me during my time in the Charismatic Episcopal Church and even since my own leaving. In that, the growth that started in the early days was not able to be sustained in the last few years.
The disappointment that came with such hard work of never yielding the harvest is a huge blow to a Pastor in any tradition – not just the CEC. However, I was not content to spiritualize the lack of growth with flowery “prophetic words”. Probably why I left at the end of the day.
A comment on one of my posts! I’ll respond to this comment below in bolded quotes…
Please provide proof of anything you’re saying. Who of the “faithful in Kansas” said this?
The faithful included many who are still in the core leadership. I can’t divulge my sources. No need to order me around on my own blog. It’s a big world wide web out there. If you don’t like what you see, feel free to start a blog on your own.
I’ve been a member of the CEC since 1999 (All Saints Church, Santas Clarita, CA). I pray for all of you who have left the CEC, but I believe that lots of you are just whiners.
Awesome! Thanks for the prayers and for the slap in the face! Gee, sorry that some of us couldn’t just go away quietly. If it wasn’t necessary for some in the CEC to make it an excruciatingly difficult experience to leave, then perhaps this wouldn’t be necessary.
You are doing satan’s work here, I fear.
Is that right? I always enjoy spirited banter but when someone goes for the “Devil” or “Hitler” card, I know that they’re not really up for it.
At any rate, thanks for the prayers. I’ll take it for whatever it’s worth.
Once, Archbishop Randy Adler introduced Archbishop Randy Sly by saying: “The best archbishop in 2000 years!” That sentiment was received in Kansas with a round of applause and cheering. Fast forward to when Randy Sly announces that he is leaving the Charismatic Episcopal Church to convert to Catholicism. News of his conversion to Catholicism was met with cries of his “unfaithfulness” and that he was dead weight anyway. All this from the faithful in Kansas where he first took off in the CEC.
It’s amazing how quickly folks turn on you. One moment, you are standing shoulder-to-shoulder laboring for the Kingdom of God in the same particular vineyard – the Charismatic Episcopal Church. However, start breathing doubts about where the movement is headed and you are immediately blackballed. God forbid, you actually leave the movement, you’ll find how quickly they turn on you.
Anyone else find this to be true?
So many people that I have encountered after leaving the Charismatic Episcopal Church have all felt as if they needed to be de-programmed as if they left a cult.
It turns out that many of us were lied to about the goings on of the organization. That others were manipulated into staying even longer than they had initially hoped. Some were being asked to give detailed reports of their salaries, housing, and other benefits so that the Bishop could know how much to expect for their tithe.
I was personally shamed for not consulting “the brothers” about buying a new house. I was also taken to task for not consulting “the brothers” on when and where to take my vacation.
All this control has created havoc in the lives of so many that I have come into contact with. It’s shocking once you get on the other side to see how much control some Bishops wanted to exert over those in their cathedral.
Like many people involved in the work that was the Charismatic Episcopal Church, there was a great deal of ownership going in to this new movement. This was once called the fastest-growing denomination in the US and the world (however, I can’t for the life of me remember who said that… it was just widely quoted that way).
Now, it’s fighting for its life and trying to march on like nothing happened. The dream was that this movement would incorporate the charismatic, evangelical and liturgical/sacramental streams of historic Christianity. But, in the end, it became mostly charismatic with a smattering of liturgical with a huge heap of 1970s-era shepherding tricks to keep people in the movement for as long as possible.
It became quite apparent that the initial growth of the movement was over. So, most churches that I knew of in the CEC had a “bolt the doors” strategy. No one can leave. If you leave, you leave with a curse or a black hand over you. And, once you leave, it’s as if you were never born. Very Christian tactics, let me tell you.
I left the Charismatic Episcopal Church after some years in the movement. I sacrificed time, money, vacation from my secular employment, etc., etc… all to demonstrate my loyalty to a Bishop who just came to expect that he deserved all that he had coming to him.
I had heard “Where the Bishop is, there is the church” quoted to me from the early Church fathers so many times that I started to feel like I wanted to vomit each time I heard it. That was not meant to be some power to be lorded over the clergy and laity under his care. It was just the reality of the structure of the church.
I have no idea where I am going with all this except to say that it has been some time since I left the CEC. Most days, I am happy that I left. Other days, I feel horrible for the manner in which it all happened. I can almost always feel some sort of resentment that most of the people that I counted on as friends no longer wish to speak to me or wish me some sort of harm for leaving.
Does this resonate with anyone out there?
After the near implosion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church in the US last summer, it became apparent that this was the first time most people ever spoke openly about their feelings concerning what was going on in this Communion.
This is an attempt at bringing healing to those who have left or are processing their feelings about leaving the CEC. Be open, honest, and most of all civil.
We’ll see where this goes.
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