The ACOC emphasizes the importance of the life of the church as community, that all may be one in Christ (John 17), through mutual helpfulness, ministering to one another and all creation in love, through the diversity of personal giftedness and sensitivity to the particular needs of those being served.

The church values and promotes spiritually based, courageous, and compassionate ministry to both personal and global needs. Ongoing spiritual growth is to be nourished through sacred study and contemplative prayer. At the center of the church's public worship is the Eucharistic liturgy (scripture, teaching, prayer, Holy Communion, and blessing), in which all are invited to participate.

Also offered for ministry are the other sacraments of the Christian Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders.

Holy Orders are open to both women and men, single or married. The Orders of Bishop, Priest, and Deacon exist for the service of spiritual leadership in facilitating expression of the life of God - in the celebration of the sacraments, counseling and pastoral care, teaching, and public advocacy of Gospel values.

Clergy of the ACOC operate collegially and share in common with all members of the church in the priesthood of Christ. The church currently has clergy and clergy-in-training on the West and East Coasts, the Great Lakes and Sun Belt regions of North America, and in Europe. ACOC clergy are involved in a wide variety of self-directed and self-supported ministerial activities.

The ACOC draws together both the Eastern and Western lines of Apostolic Succession, and encourages ecumenical communication and mutual respect among persons of the various spiritual heritages. The church aims to embody the unifying and healing Light of Christ as it reaches out to the needs of humanity in the love of God.