Aquia Episcopal Church — Church Directory

Quick Facts

Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. James (Rector)

Founded 1757

Denomination Episcopal

Service Times Sunday mornings (check website); (540) 659-4007

Men's Ministry No

Kids Ministry No

Website aquiachurch.org

Pastor Credentials Episcopal ordained clergy; Diocese of Virginia

10-Point Theological Scorecard

Christology

Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)

Homepage affirms Trinitarian formula ('God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit') but no detailed Christology published. Part of TEC which remains broadly Nicene on paper.

Caution

Scripture

Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?

TEC has formally abandoned biblical authority on sexuality — full LGBTQ+ affirmation.

WARNING!

Men's Discipleship

Intentional formation for men?

No men's ministry found.

WARNING!

Soteriology

Faith alone? How is salvation presented?

No explicit soteriology on church site; as a TEC parish the default inherited position is sacramental with progressive trajectory — not stated on available sources from this parish.

Caution

Gender / Biblical Design

Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?

TEC denomination fully egalitarian — women ordained at all levels, LGBTQ+ affirming.

TEC denomination fully egalitarian — women and LGBTQ+ clergy affirmed

Disqualifier

Leadership Structure

Male elders/pastors? Accountability?

Episcopal hierarchy — Diocese of Virginia accountability.

WARNING!

Preaching Style

Expository or topical/therapeutic?

Not stated on available sources — verify in person. Episcopal lectionary-driven preaching likely.

Caution

Mission Clarity

Great Commission central?

Mission language is 'joyfully respond to the Love, Grace, and Fellowship of God' — no explicit Great Commission framing; inherited TEC social-justice trajectory not confirmed on this parish page.

Caution

Cultural Alignment

DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?

TEC is institutionally progressive.

Disqualifier

Accountability Structure

Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?

Episcopal is institutionally apostate — departed from biblical authority.

Disqualifier

Assessment

Aquia Episcopal Church is a historic (1757) TEC congregation in Stafford. Built during the colonial era, it is one of the oldest churches in the region. However, as a member of The Episcopal Church, it operates under a denomination that has formally departed from biblical authority on sexuality, gender, and marriage. The same denominational concerns that apply to Trinity Episcopal and St. George's apply here. Historic and beautiful, but institutionally compromised. Not recommended.

#episcopal#tec#mainline#historic#colonial#stafford#lgbtq-affirming

Sources & Evidence

Enrichment Notes

[2026-05-19] MOOP rubric: TEC — affirming since 2003. Already rated black.

These are the URLs consulted to arrive at this church's scoring. Score-note claims are synthesized from homepage content, denominational directories, and public statements of faith at the time of review. Church websites change frequently; we're progressively adding Internet Archive snapshots to prevent link rot.

[1] Live source aquiachurch.org

Transparency note: MOOP ratings are researcher judgments about publicly available theological and ecclesial evidence. They are not infallible. If a church's public posture has changed since our review, or if we've mis-read evidence, tell us — we publish corrections.