Our Identity
We are Protestant in doctrine, holding fast to the authority of Holy Scripture and the Reformation witness to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are Methodist in evangelical zeal, discipline, and concern for personal and social holiness. We are Anglican in our prayer book worship, shaped by the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the ordered rhythm of Scripture, psalms, and collects. We are Episcopal in church order, governed by biblical bishops with priests, deacons, and lay ministers serving under lawful authority. We are independent in law and governance, ordered by our own Constitution, Canons, and Bylaws.
Our Official Standards
The official doctrinal and liturgical standards of The Ecumenical Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church include: Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments as the Word of God written; the King James Version of the Holy Bible; the ancient Creeds of the Church; the historic Articles of Religion; and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer as our principal standard of worship.
Our Faith
We confess the one God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the Holy Trinity. We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who for us and for our salvation became truly Man, was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, suffered, died, and rose again on the third day.
Our Worship
Our worship follows the classic pattern of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. We gather for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and the Holy Communion, offering to God the sacrifice of praise. We read Holy Scripture, recite the Psalms, confess the Creeds, and hear the Word expounded for the edification of His people.
About The Ecumenical Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church
Our Sacraments
We receive and honor the two Gospel Sacraments ordained by Christ our Lord in the Holy Scriptures: Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, also called Holy Communion or the Holy Eucharist.
Holy Baptism
Holy Baptism is the sacrament of new birth, incorporation into Christ, and admission into His Church. Baptism must be administered in person with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, according to Christ’s command. It is not administered virtually or remotely.
The Lord’s Supper / Holy Communion / Eucharist
In the Holy Communion, we believe that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly received by the faithful in a real, mystical, heavenly, and spiritual manner. Christ is present to His people by the Holy Ghost, feeding and strengthening them with Himself. We expressly reject the doctrine of transubstantiation as contrary to Holy Scripture.
Our Five Holy Rites
In addition to the two Gospel Sacraments, the Church observes five holy rites which are means of grace and blessing:
• Confirmation – The laying on of hands with prayer by a bishop, strengthening baptized believers in the Holy Ghost.
• Confession and Absolution – The pastoral ministry of hearing confessions and declaring God’s forgiveness.
• Marriage – The solemn, public, and lifelong union of one man and one woman in holy matrimony.
• Ordination or Appointment – The setting apart of bishops, priests, deacons, and lay ministers for the work of ministry.
• Anointing and Healing – The ministry of prayer and anointing with oil for the sick, seeking the comfort of Christ.
Ministry and Government
The Ecumenical Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church is episcopal in its government and order. Christ is the Head of the Church, and under Him the Church is governed by bishops, assisted by priests, deacons, and lay ministers.
Presider Bishop Robert Horwath is the Founder, Head, and Chief Ecclesiastical Authority of this Church. He exercises his office in obedience to Holy Scripture and in continuity with the historic Church.
Our Mission and Vocation
The mission of The Ecumenical Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church is to preach Christ, teach the faith, administer the Sacraments, and form disciples who live in holiness. We are called to serve the poor, the homeless, the imprisoned, and those returning to God after seasons of wandering.
The pulpit is reserved for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not for partisan politics. Our message is Christ crucified and risen, and the invitation to salvation for all who seek Him.