What Is the Independent Sacramental Movement?
A living expression of the timeless work of Christ through inclusive sacramental life
The Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM) is a global expression of Christianity that seeks to embody the love and freedom of Christ through the full sacramental life of the Church — unbound by institutional control, yet deeply rooted in the apostolic and mystical traditions of the early followers of Jesus.
A Brief History
The ISM traces its roots to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when clergy and theologians — inspired by the ancient Catholic and Orthodox churches yet disillusioned by the limitations of institutional religion — began forming independent jurisdictions that preserved apostolic succession while embracing freedom of conscience and inclusion.
Figures such as Arnold Harris Mathew, Joseph René Vilatte, and Mar Georgius were early pioneers who helped carry forward valid lines of episcopal succession. Their intent was not to divide the Body of Christ, but to open the sacraments to all who sought them, particularly those marginalized or excluded by the established churches.
This flowering of independent Catholic and Orthodox expressions eventually gave rise to what is now known as the Independent Sacramental Movement — a diverse, global fellowship of communities united by shared devotion to Christ, the sacraments, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
A Lineage of Inclusion and Renewal
The lineage in which I now serve — through the Ascension Alliance and Ascension Theological College— continues this legacy of sacred renewal. Founded by Bishop Herman Adrian Spruit in 1958 and later led by Bishop Merri Louise Spruit, this branch of the ISM became one of the most visionary and inclusive sacramental movements of the modern era.
Herman Spruit, once a Methodist minister, discerned a call to reimagine the church in a way that integrated mystical spirituality, sacramental grace, and modern consciousness. Guided by profound contemplative experience, he sought to unite the sacramental life of the ancient Church with the universal inclusiveness of divine love.
Under the leadership of Merri Spruit — who succeeded her husband as the first Matriarch and female head of an entire apostolic church — the CACA became a prophetic voice for equality and inclusion. This was the first apostolic lineage to ordain women, homosexuals, and others historically turned away from the sacramental life of traditional Christianity. Theirs was not a rejection of tradition but a radical fidelity to the heart of Christ, who embraced all without exception.
Through this lineage, the church continues the charge of Christ to the Apostles — to go forth and bring the good news of God’s unending love to every soul, in every time and place.
My Call and Purpose in the ISM
My own journey into this movement has been guided by years of spiritual seeking, study, and service. I have come to see the Independent Sacramental Movement not as a separation from the Church, but as a continuation of her true purpose: to make visible the invisible grace of God through love, service, and sacrament.
In entering seminary within the Ascension Alliance, I am answering a call to serve as a priest in this lineage of inclusive, contemplative Christianity. My heart is drawn to the mystical and healing dimensions of the faith — to creating sacred spaces where all people can experience belonging, reconciliation, and direct communion with the Divine.
My goals within this movement are both pastoral and visionary:
- To foster the contemplative and mystical life of the Church, uniting East and West, ancient and modern.
- To serve those who have felt unseen or unworthy of God’s love by bringing the sacraments to them with open hands and an open heart.
- To build community grounded in compassion, wisdom, and beauty, where the love of Christ can be experienced through ritual, music, teaching, and the transformative work of the Spirit.
The Sacramental Vision
In the Independent Sacramental tradition, the seven sacraments — Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing, Holy Orders, and Marriage — are seen as infinite wells of grace. They are not owned by any one institution but are entrusted to the whole Church, the mystical Body of Christ.
In this light, every Eucharist is an act of cosmic renewal — a participation in the eternal offering of Christ’s love for the world. The sacramental life reminds us that grace is not a reward but a gift, and that the Divine is continually revealing itself through the rhythms of creation, human love, and spiritual awakening.
The Movement Today
Across the world today, ISM communities gather in homes, chapels, and sanctuaries — sometimes small, sometimes hidden — to celebrate the sacred mysteries. Each community reflects the character of its people and the guidance of the Spirit. Some are deeply traditional, others contemplative or interspiritual. Yet all share a common recognition: that Christ’s love transcends human divisions, and that the Church is most alive where compassion, wisdom, and sacrament meet.
The Independent Sacramental Movement is thus a living continuation of Christ’s mission — to bring light where there is darkness, to include where there has been exclusion, and to reveal the presence of God in every soul.
Through this lineage — through the vision of Herman and Merri Spruit and all who continue their work — we affirm that the work of the Lord Jesus Christ is still unfolding in the world today: ever ancient, ever new.