It is estimated that there are about 33,000 differing denominations, streams and groups in the world today. In most of these there are bible-believing Christians who would be enriched by having fellowship with each other.
The Order of St Leonard (OSL) is not a denomination in itself but seeks to provide the opportunity for those who do belong to the various denominations, or, who are members of independent churches, to share fellowship, conferences, material and mission.
The Order is overseen by Revd. Dr. David Carr, Bishop of the Order of St. Leonard, Senior Pastor of Renewal Chrisitan Centre, and National Overseer of the Free Methodist Church in Europe. Revd. Dr. Carr was inspired to started the Order of St Leonard after reading Genesis 26, where Isaac reopened his father’s wells and called them by their original names, and noting the many parallels between the life’s work of St Leonard and the modern day work that Renewal was already undertaking.
The Order of St Leonard provides a unique opportunity for Nonconformist and Orthodox Christians to join together in fellowship. Already, churches, leaders and ministries from Europe, as well as the United Kingdom, have shown interest in joining. Out of this fellowship there can come an unprecedented unity which God has promised to bless.
The four main expressions of Christian worship are:
- Evangelical
- Charismatic
- Liturgical
- Sacramental
We may not all fully appreciate each other’s culture, yet history records great men and women emerging from every one of these streams.
The Ordination of the Rev Canon Chris Bowater OSL
The Order of Saint Leonard – a convergence order, celebrating Oneness in the Body of Christ coming from the Liturgical, Charismatic, Evangelical and Sacramental tradition.
St Leonard of Noblac was born in the 6th Century AD. He lived a monastic life of simplicity but became known for healing and many travelled to visit him and receive divine doctrine.
He was also known for many miracles, including delivering of the Queen’s child when her life was despaired of, and he was afforded the power to release prisoners, at his own discretion. They reported that their shackles fell from them in his presence. Prisoners offered their fallen chains to him in homage, and many had a deep desire to remain with St Leonard. He gave them work, to support them as they led a new life of honesty.
He taught his disciples that the captivity of sin was greater than any physical internment – and preached strong doctrine that each would live honest and productive lives. He was a pioneer in addressing social issues that many would turn away from, understanding that confronting barriers was the only way in which true transformation could be achieved.
He performed many miracles of healing – delivering people from the shackles of illness and physical deficiency; he cast out demons and delivered emotional freedom; he encouraged work and productivity to free the people from poverty and social deprivation.
The ministry of St Leonard was inspired by the Holy Spirit and fulfilled the commands of Matthew 25. He stood for strong doctrine of the Christian faith and was a powerful teacher and communicator.