Purpose, Mission & Organizational Structure
PURPOSE The Ascension Alliance exists to provide a “free and protected space” where all who cherish teachings of the Christ and the sacraments of the Church may experience them in their own way, embrace diverse spiritual and mystical practices, and grow in love, wisdom, and service.
MISSION Our mission is to nurture the transformation of heart, mind, and spirit by providing a healthy spiritual environment in which people and communities can grow and develop. Through sacramental life, theological education, and compassionate service, we endeavor to empower seekers and ministers to embody and express God’s boundless love.
UNDERSTANDING ASCENSION In order to understand our purpose and mission, we need to be clear about what we mean by Ascension. There are both exoteric and esoteric meanings.
The exoteric is the traditional, religious, sense, in which we can think of the Ascension of Jesus' true Self, or soul, becoming united (in consciousness) with his Creator. He became complete. He fulfilled his destiny.
The esoteric is about us. We are not complete and we have not yet fulfilled our destiny. We can understand our individual purpose as one of personally ascending in terms of 1) our own personal growth and 2) our own spiritual transformation, or to use a theological term, conversion. In other words, becoming authentic Christians, being followers of Jesus the Christ, living the Great Commandments, doing our own interior and spiritual work, and in the process helping others and the planet.
Praxis may involve all kinds of spiritual practices: journalling, being in therapy, all different kinds of mediation and prayer, working for social justice, serving those in need, sharing the sacraments, and engaging in a range of possible spiritual practices, or praxis, that we undertake depending on personal inclination, charism, knowledge, skill, resources, and calling.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The Ascension Alliance is incorporated in the State of Washington as a Church. We are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt Church under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We have also been granted a group exemption letter from the IRS so that affiliated ministries can take advantage of the tax-exempt status of our central organization.
We are episcopal, in that our jurisdiction, or micro denomination, is headed by a Presiding Bishop, who serves in consultation with a Board of Governors, a Council of Bishops, and a General Assembly. Membership in the Board is open to both clergy members and lay persons. All validly consecrated bishops who have been duly incardinated into or approved for consecration within our organization are members of the Council of Bishops. We have adopted a set of by-laws, as well as an ethics policy, which all affiliated ministries are bound by. Copies are available on request.
MISSION Our mission is to nurture the transformation of heart, mind, and spirit by providing a healthy spiritual environment in which people and communities can grow and develop. Through sacramental life, theological education, and compassionate service, we endeavor to empower seekers and ministers to embody and express God’s boundless love.
UNDERSTANDING ASCENSION In order to understand our purpose and mission, we need to be clear about what we mean by Ascension. There are both exoteric and esoteric meanings.
The exoteric is the traditional, religious, sense, in which we can think of the Ascension of Jesus' true Self, or soul, becoming united (in consciousness) with his Creator. He became complete. He fulfilled his destiny.
The esoteric is about us. We are not complete and we have not yet fulfilled our destiny. We can understand our individual purpose as one of personally ascending in terms of 1) our own personal growth and 2) our own spiritual transformation, or to use a theological term, conversion. In other words, becoming authentic Christians, being followers of Jesus the Christ, living the Great Commandments, doing our own interior and spiritual work, and in the process helping others and the planet.
Praxis may involve all kinds of spiritual practices: journalling, being in therapy, all different kinds of mediation and prayer, working for social justice, serving those in need, sharing the sacraments, and engaging in a range of possible spiritual practices, or praxis, that we undertake depending on personal inclination, charism, knowledge, skill, resources, and calling.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE The Ascension Alliance is incorporated in the State of Washington as a Church. We are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt Church under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We have also been granted a group exemption letter from the IRS so that affiliated ministries can take advantage of the tax-exempt status of our central organization.
We are episcopal, in that our jurisdiction, or micro denomination, is headed by a Presiding Bishop, who serves in consultation with a Board of Governors, a Council of Bishops, and a General Assembly. Membership in the Board is open to both clergy members and lay persons. All validly consecrated bishops who have been duly incardinated into or approved for consecration within our organization are members of the Council of Bishops. We have adopted a set of by-laws, as well as an ethics policy, which all affiliated ministries are bound by. Copies are available on request.
