UNIT 1: MISSION VS. DENOMINATION

1.1 The Canonical Distinction

In standard ecclesiology, a “Church” usually implies a fully self-sufficient structure with its own hierarchy, synods, and often a metropolitan or patriarch. A “Mission,” however, implies movement, flexibility, and a specific focus on evangelism or pastoral care in a territory where the structure is developing.

The AOCM deliberately identifies as a Mission. This is a theological statement, not just a title.

• Canonical Reality: We stand in valid apostolic succession through our communion with the Bulgarian Old Catholic Church and the Apostolic Catholic Church. We currently rely on these historic bodies for the validity of our orders and sacramental integrity.
  While we derive our apostolic lineage from these relationships, we operate with pastoral autonomy. This allows us to minister inclusively and decisively, while we continue to mature into the fullness of our own ecclesial identity.
• Structural Agility: We are not a “breakaway” sect; we are a valid branch grafted onto the ancient apostolic tree. By maintaining these bonds of affection and canonical validity with our sister churches, we ensure our sacraments are valid while retaining the freedom to grow in our own soil.

“Now, therefore, you are no longer visitors and new arrivals. Instead, you are citizens among the saints and domestics of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and of the prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone.” — Ephesians 2:19-20 (CPDV)

1.2 The Theology of “Smallness”

In a culture that worships “megachurches,” the AOCM embraces a “theology of smallness.”

“The AOCM does not claim to be ‘the’ church, but to be a church—a valid, living branch of the one Catholic faith, bearing witness through smallness and sincerity”.

We believe that mass institutions often lose the ability to care for the individual soul. By remaining a Mission, we prioritize personal pastoral encounter over institutional maintenance. We do not measure success by numbers, but by fidelity.

The Candidate’s Challenge: You must interrogate your own ambition. Are you seeking a “throne” or a “mission field”? If you are looking for the prestige of a large diocese, you are in the wrong place. If you are looking to serve “the overlooked and underestimated,” you are home.