MCC Episcopate

The MCC have a ministry they call “elders”. In spite of the name, which may be confusing for people of other traditions, nevertheless, that MCC ministry is described thus: «Elders have an ecclesial role: they oversee the affiliation of churches; and they have authority over the Clergy Manual and protocols for authorizing MCC clergy. Elders then are key to setting standards and boundaries, based on the by-laws, by which churches and clergy are represented at General Conference. Elders also oversee the appointment of Network leaders and relate to churches through the Network system. Elders have a spiritual/pastoral and teaching role in the Church: Elders are called upon to develop leadership programs, teach at summits, preach at MCC conferences, church anniversaries, and support MCC in terms of increasing church strength and health; and in strategically supporting new church starts and emerging ministries. They are looked to as spiritual and pastoral leaders by the pastors, lay leaders and people of MCC. They may also be asked by the Moderator to represent and to speak for the denomination publicly. [...] They are also a symbol of the unity-in-diversity of MCC.»

These points show that this ministry is one of episcopé, and compatible with the bishops’ ministry in the Churches of the historic episcopate.