At the Synod on 2026.10.10, the Synod adopted a resolution to rename the Interdenominational Assembly of Churches (IAoC) to the Interdenominational Association of Churches (IAoC).
An interdenominational association of churches is a collaborative network or alliance that brings together individual Christian congregations, ministries, and leaders from different denominations. The Interdenominational Association of Churches is open to all Christian Churches, Para-Churches, clergy, and lay leaders.
History
In spring 2017, Rev. B. Philip Kumar of the Pentecostal Church in Vadapalli, India, and Rev. Xaviour Sebastian Chikwatu of the United Methodist Church in Malawi requested to work with us.
The “Eric Michel Ministries International ministry of the Interdenominational Assembly of Churches was born upon the teaching of Christ. We are an association of member churches and para-churches serving members in over 85 head churches worldwide. Through our local churches and online ministries, we provide a Seminary, a Bible Academy, a missions outreach program, and resources such as counselling, a support committee for Ecclesiastical rules and order through our Canon Law and Ecclesiastical College (House of Bishops), and more.
The IAoC is divided into five regions, Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania, overseen by a “District Superintendent Bishop”, who provides the management
Key Characteristics
• Shared Core Beliefs: Rather than focusing on distinct sectarian rules or secondary doctrines, these associations center their fellowship on core Christian foundations such as the Gospel and historical creeds.
• Cooperation Over Competition: Member churches or ministers maintain their individual traditions or independent standing while partnering on broader goals—such as regional outreach, disaster relief, community service, or ministerial training.
• Distinction from Denominations: Unlike a single traditional denomination with a strict hierarchical governing body, an interdenominational group acts as a bridge or umbrella organization for diverse groups.
Under the roof of Eric Michel Ministries International Ecumenical Ministry
The Independent Catholic churches—such as the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) and various Old Catholic or independent episcopal bodies—engage in specific ecumenical dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church.
Overview of Independent Catholic Ecumenism
• Definition: “Independent Catholic” generally refers to churches that possess valid apostolic succession and traditional Catholic sacramental structures/liturgies, but are not in administrative or full communion with the Roman Bishop (the Pope).
• Vatican Perspective: The Roman Catholic Church recognizes that many independent or Old Catholic bodies share valid holy orders and the seven sacraments, making reconciliation and formal dialogue distinct from dialogues with Protestant or Evangelical groups.
Origins of Dialogue: Established in 1984 with the encouragement of Pope Saint John Paul II, the official bilateral dialogue between the PNCC and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (later joined by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) seeks to heal a late-19th-century schism
Core Agreements: Both sides have affirmed mutual agreement on the seven sacraments, the validity of ordinations/sacraments, and a shared apostolic faith.
The Joint Declaration on Unity (2006): Adopted by both church leaderships, this document mapped out steps toward full and visible communion, focusing on overcoming historical governance and jurisdictional disputes without forcing cultural uniformity.
Sacramental Sharing: Because the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the validity of PNCC sacraments (like Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), it permits limited pastoral sharing or exceptions under specific canonical guidelines, though full structural unity remains a work in progress.
Independent Catholic churches frequently engage in ecumenical dialogue with independent Protestant, Evangelical, and continuing Anglican/Episcopal bodies. Because they operate outside the institutional constraints of the Roman Catholic Church, these interactions are usually structurally unique, often emphasizing grassroots fellowship or the shared validity of sacraments rather than rigid doctrinal conformity.
Key historical frameworks, ecumenical councils, and organizations facilitate this dialogue:
1. The Independent Catholic Churches Council (ICCC)
The Independent Catholic Churches Council is a leading institutional vehicle for this specific crossover dialogue. Rather than limiting membership exclusively to traditional Catholics, the ICCC intentionally bridges the gap by uniting Independent Catholic, Liberal Catholic, and Evangelical/Protestant bodies.
• Theological Foundation: The council uses the historic 1931 Bonn Agreement (originally signed between the Church of England and the Old Catholic Church) as its blueprint.
• Ecumenical Focus: It establishes frameworks for sharing sacraments, collaborating on international missions, and advising on inter-church dynamics without demanding strict theological or liturgical uniformity.
2. The Order of Corporate Reunion (OCR)
Founded in 1874, the Order of Corporate Reunion is a historic, prominent ecumenical association explicitly designed to bridge the divide between Catholic and independent Anglican/Protestant lineages.
• Theological Focus: Its early mission involved practicing “subconditional” (conditional) ordinations to ensure a mutually recognized apostolic succession.
• Modern Dialogue: It continues to function as an independent, charismatic ecumenical space where Protestant clergy (especially from traditional, high-church, or continuing Anglican lines) can enter into dialogue and sacramental fraternity with independent Catholic prelates.
3. The Bonn Agreement Blueprint
When independent or “free” Catholic jurisdictions engage with independent Protestants (such as Independent Anglicans, the Reformed Episcopal Church, or Free Protestant Episcopal bodies), they heavily rely on the legacy of the Bonn Agreement. This framework focuses on:
• Interchangeability of Ministries: Recognizing each other’s clergy and sacraments.
• Reconciled Diversity: Agreeing on fundamental Christian Creeds while allowing distinct Protestant or Catholic identities, governance structures, and worship styles to remain intact.
4. Cross-Denominational and Shared Jurisdictions
Because many independent Catholic movements emphasize the concept of an adaptable, primitive church structure, their ecumenical dialogues often result in completely shared spaces or overlapping communions:
• The Old Catholic Apostolic Church (OCAC): Administers groups like the ICCC and maintains a Cross-Denominational Mission designed specifically to house and foster dialogue among diverse Evangelical and Free Catholic believers.
• Apostolic Episcopal Church: Acts as a direct bridge by combining elements of traditional, independent Anglicanism with independent Eastern Catholic heritages, actively hosting inter-communion dialogues for over a century.
A new logo for The Interdenominational Association of Churches, an EMMI Ministry, adopted by the permanent synod on 2026.10.12.
