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Timothy Paul
Metropolitan Archbishop of the International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church
Installed	September 2007
Term ended	Incumbent

Timothy Paul (born Timothy B. Baymon) is the Metropolitan Archbishop of the International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church (www.ICHCOC.org). Under the leadership of Paul, the Communion has grown to over 1000 parishes with over 250 parishes in foreign countries. In addition to his service as Metropolitan Archbishop of the ICHCOC, he currently serves in his second consecutive term as President of the World Bishops’ Council, the largest body of ecumenical Bishops representing over 40 million Christians worldwide. Despite the name of his religious group, it is not in communion with and has no direct association with any of the groups traditionally known by the name Orthodox Church.

Local roles

Baymon is also pastor of Praise and Glory Church of God in Christ in Springfield, MA and president of Epiphany Development Corporation which is building a $18 million boutique hotel at the Epiphany Tower building on State Street in that city. He is president of Springfield Christian College and Theological Seminary, an institution for aspiring ministers that gives credit for life experiences. SCCTS is accredited by Accrediting Commission International (ACI). ACI is not recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education as an accepted accreditor. Baymon himself attended Wheaton College

Timothy Paul, a native of Springfield, MA, is a veteran community leader with over 20 years of service providing leadership to non-profit organizations and formally recognized around the country by both the City of Springfield and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is a member of the board of New England Partners in Faith

World Bishops' Council presidency

Under Baymon, the World Bishops Council has stood against Universalism, in one case correcting the teachings of United Church of Christ Bishop Carlton Pearson, which the Council judged to be heretical. In 2001, the Unification Church promoted an event called "We Will Stand!" where Baymon introduced Sun Myung Moon as the keynote speaker on a 50-state 51-day tour. Baymon signed a letter with twenty-eight other religious leaders in support of religious freedom in Iraq Representing the WBC at the United Nations' 60th DPI/NGO Conference, Baymon urged Christians to "become greater stewards of the earth" by conserving energy, by reducing greenhouse gases and deforestation, and by creating public and private partnerships which will lead to renewable energy sources.

International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church

With a background in the Church of God in Christ, Timothy Baymon entered the autocephalous movement and was ordained in August 1999 by Carl Jimenez, Peter Brennan, James Lagona, and Joseph Grenier. The ICHCOC has recently established its U.S. Headquarters in Springfield, MA following the purchase of the historic Springfield Masonic Temple, renamed the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. The church is devoted to offering a place where the three major streams of Christianity (Catholic, Evangelical and Pentecostal) can worship together.

Deposed bishop Edward Chomba charged that Baymon on January 1, 2007 attacked him, accusing him of practicing witchcraft and brainwashing another man. Baymon was arraigned and plead not guilty. At the arraignment, Baymon's lawyer argued for dismissal of the charges, stating there were four witnesses to the fight and claimed the witnesses said Baymon "didn't do anything."

In September 2007, the Holy Christian Orthodox Church, and the Holy Synod of Bishops voted, and elected him as Patriarch of the International Communion.

See also

• Accreditation mill
• Unaccredited institutions of higher learning

References

1. ^ "Archbishop charged with beating a former bishop". Boston Globe. February 15, 2006. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. ^ Marla A. Goldberg (February 14, 2006). "Bishop Pleads Innocent to Assault Charges". The Republican. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. ^ "World Bishops' Council President Urges Action From Christians On Climate Change". Religion News Service. September 7, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. EXECUTIVECOLLEGE - The World Bishops Council
5. Peter Goonan (June 03, 2006). "Hotel proposed near civic center". The Republican. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. Peter Goonan (June 03, 2006). "Hotel project moving forward". The Republican. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. Administration - Springfield Christian College and Theological Seminary
8. Rosalind S. Helderman (August 5, 2007). "Bland's Words Echo Kofi Annan's". Washington Post. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
9. LinkedIn: Timothy Paul
10. Jo-Ann Moriarty (July 9, 2006). "$75,000 grant aids job-finding program". The Republican. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
11. Charismatic Apostasy of Carlton Pearson
12. News Service Briefs By - Charisma Magazine
13. Message from Rev. Michael Jenkins regarding Rev. Moon's 50 state speaking tour
14. We Will Stand!
15. Seattle, WA—March 9 - Unification News 03/2001
16. IRPP
17. "Orthodox Catholic Bishops "B" Directory". American Orthodox Church. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
18. Marla A. Goldberg (July 7, 2007). "Church buys Masonic temple". The Republican. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
19. Religion News Service: Press Releases

External links

• World Bishops Council
• International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church
• Business West article on purchase of Springfield Masonic Temple

• Christian religious leaders
• African American religious leaders
• American bishops
• Metropolitan bishops