We love Jesus. We love our neighbors. We make disciples who make disciples. We plant churches that plant churches.
Church of the Holy Spirit (Anglican) is a “Three
Streams, One River” church. Each streams focuses on one
person of the Trinity. We own, recognize the value of, and practice
three great streams of Christianity:
1. The Evangelical (or reformed) stream.
This stream emphasizes the supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures in faith and life, and the necessity of personal conversion and biblical discipleship. We share its focus on the centrality of the cross of Jesus Christ, his atoning death as a substitution for us, and the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We also share its missionary and evangelistic imperatives. For more on the reformed stream in classic Anglicanism, see the doctrinal statements in the 39 Articles of Religion. This streams focuses on Jesus, our redeemer.
2. The Charismatic (or pentecostal) stream.
This stream emphasizes the present work of the Holy Spirit in miraculous power in the life of the believer and the Church. It upholds the role of every believer as a minister who serves with one or more spiritual gifts, including healing, prophecy, and tongues, all for the building up of the church. The Holy Spirit enables us to hear His voice, to walk our talk, and abide in His love. This stream focuses on The Holy Spirit, our sanctifier.
3. The Sacramental (or catholic) stream.
This stream emphasizes the role of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Eucharist, and the traditional orders of ordained ministry, in mediating the grace of God. It recognizes that the Holy Spirit has been at work in the church for 2000 years, including in the seven ecumenical councils, and He has given us a deposit of orthodox faith for our benefit and learning. This steam stresses the transcendence of God the Father, our creator.
Our 10:00 Sunday worship service displays all three streams, but we
have other meetings and practices at which one or two streams are more
highlighted than the other. Our individual devotions vary, and
draw from all 3 traditions. We are encouraged to draw close to God
not only in the streams that are familiar to us, but also in the other
streams, so that we may worship God in the fullness of the Trinity.
A note on the evangelical stream:
Consider Alistair McGrath’s Definition of Evangelicalism: (from Christian Theology, p. 111). Evangelicals uphold:
The authority and sufficiency of scripture:
The uniqueness of redemption through the death of Christ on the cross;
The need for personal conversion;
The necessity, propriety, and urgency of evangelism.
In ecclesiology, the NT does not stipulate any particular form of Church government; Therefore,
Evangelicalism is trans-denominational; There is no inconsistency in speaking of “Anglican evangelicals,” “Presbyterian evangelicals,” or even “Roman Catholic evangelicals.”
Evangelicalism is not a denomination, but a trend within and beyond denominations.
Evangelicalism is an ecumenical movement.
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Ashburn, VA (703) 726-0777
