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| About COCM
Having traveled from our heritage in the various Christian and Neo-Pagan religious movements, we now forge a new path in our journey with the creation of Coven of Christ Ministries. Coven of Christ Ministries is an Ecumenical Esoteric Christian Community and international fellowship of churches, covens, and ministers with an emphasis on the centrality of Jesus the Christ and the Person and Work of the Lady Holy Spirit. COCM has established itself as an organization of integrity with a heart to serve those who serve others. It is the belief of COCM that the “call” to ministry is not limited only to those fortunate enough to have completed both college and seminary or any other particular level of formal education. Some of our members are seminary graduates while others have theological education through their association with a coven, or various extension and online training courses. And yet, some are solitary practitioners who are self-taught through the many books and other resources now available to the public. We do believe that those conscientious about their “calling” should do their best to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God [Goddess], a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) We believe this requires study and prayerful meditation as led by the Lady Holy Spirit in addition to other educational helps, courses, degree programs, and life experiences available to the individual. All of our members are encouraged to make on-going study a life-time process. Moreover, we believe that only God/dess can truly call and ordain anyone for ministry. The call to ministry is dependent upon the indwelling power of the Lady Holy Spirit. No man-made religion has the ability to create a minister. We believe that licensing and ordination is man’s recognition of God/dess’ call in a person’s life and their conscientious effort to be obedient and faithful in that call. We also believe in the priesthood of all believers and that every believer is a witness. However, as an organization we issue ordination credentials to those we believe have a special call or gift to share in spiritual ministry. This is in no way meant to devalue or distract from the validity of each believer’s function or responsibility as a witness to his or her own beliefs. COCM works across denominational and traditional lines and believes we all can "help bring down the walls of sectarianism" that have so often existed between those of differing beliefs and help bring a common witness for Christ and the Lady Holy Spirit. COCM can provide a spiritual covering, appropriate credentials, and the opportunity for affiliation with other kindred souls who share a like faith and calling. We serve those who desire to network and fellowship with other Esoteric Christian ministers, covens, and churches and to increase their access to ministry-related resources. Vision Statement Our founding vision is to be a nontraditional nondenominational Ecumenical Esoteric Christian Community of like minded believers who have been called to a ministry of service, especially to those who have no church, circle, or coven home and are in need of the services of a legally ordained member of the Clergy. This is especially the case with those who wish to follow the various and sundry Christo-Eclectic paths who have felt rejected by both mainstream Christianity and traditional Neo-Paganism. The insistent emergence of self-initiates and others who follow these Christo-Eclectic paths, which include Christian Wiccan, Christian Witch, Christian Mystic, Magickal Christian, Esoteric Christian, Earth-Based Christian, Christo-Pagan, and many others; dictate that we bring about revolutionary methods of ministering to those in these time-honored traditions. Mission Statement Our mission is to be a formal, centrally organized, legally recognized, respectable Independent Esoteric Christian Community and Coven Church providing support to its members, outreach to those in need, and ordaining those who are called to service as legally recognized clergy. |
