The Diocese

DOSA is called to ordain clergy, equip the local church, and plant new parishes.
There are two types of churches in relationship with the Diocese of St. Anthony:

Associated church:

An associated church affirms the call of its local pastor (rector) to ordination within DOSA while remaining unaffiliated as a local community.

The Bishop and Diocese oversee the deacon or priest but have no authority, thus ability, to assist or direct the local church beyond the pastor.

Diocesan parish:

A diocesan parish also affirms the call of its local pastor to ordination within DOSA. However, a diocesan parish is a body whose local leaders, in partnership with the Diocesan Bishop, have discerned that they would like to protect and equip the local church through compliance between local church canons and DOSA canons.  A member church partners in the mission of DOSA, actively receives and provides support to the Diocese at large, and is protected by the Bishop and Diocese in a time of transition.

• The Local Parish remains autonomous in their Church Canons (bylaws)

• The Local Parish is still led by local leadership and a priest

• DOSA doesn't possess or own property of a local church

• Being a Member Church ensures that the local church is protected in transition or crisis through support from the Bishop and DOSA and CEEC community at large

Local Church Culture:

DOSA is a convergent communion, meaning there is a range of local church expressions that would resemble a purely liturgical church, to an evangelical church, to a charismatic Church.  This is part of our calling: to unify these expressions in one communion walking in step with the Church historical. We categorize these expressions by using Rites.  An expression of the Rites can be seen below: