ACNA deposes breakaway bishop formerly in charge of chaplains group
The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) has deposed a bishop who formerly led a chaplaincy group that tried to break away from the theologically conservative denomination.
Bishop Derek Jones, the former head of the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (JAFC), was removed from ministry last week, the ACNA College of Bishops announced.
The decision came after the ACNA Court for the Trial of a Bishop found Jones guilty of four charges of violating canon law, according to the announcement.
“The pain and destruction to these chaplains and their families is loathsome, and we are deeply ashamed and lament that members of this body who knew about this behavior neither urgently nor robustly addressed concerns and complaints regarding Mr. Jones,” the College of Bishops said.
“While we understand that we are unable to fully expunge the pain, destruction, and despair inflicted upon the lives of those who suffered, the College is undertaking a process by which chaplains may obtain canonical and pastoral restoration.”
The bishops contend that "over a period of many years,” Jones “offended against God and the Body of Christ through acts of wickedness, cruelty, and abuse of power against chaplains with limited recourse.”
“As part of our collective repentance, we recognize the culture of our College must change and we are seeking to understand how this abuse was allowed to happen,” they said.
“Finally, the goal of disciplining a bishop is to protect the sheep and to invite the fallen shepherd to repent. Let us all fix our eyes on Christ Jesus the Good Shepherd under whose authority and care we all stand.”
Jones and JAFC launched a new denomination last year, the Anglican Reformed Catholic Church (ARCC), which described itself as providing “a stable ecclesiastical home for those who love Anglican tradition but seek clear accountability, uncompromised doctrinal standards, and a deep connection to the broader catholic Church.”
In a statement emailed to The Christian Post, the ARCC said the deposing of Jones has “no real effect,” given that Jones “is not, and never fully was, in the ACNA.”
“It’s a power issue — not about the Gospel,” the ARCC said. “It is also not a surprise that other Bishops or any other ACNA members have remained silent. They too are afraid of what will happen to them.”
“Anyone who knows [ARCC Archbishop] Jones knows that he is a Godly man whose life centers on the truth and on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From the beginning, he has sought reconciliation, but that is an inconvenience to the ACNA.”
The ARCC shared with CP an email Jones sent to staff members shortly before his deposal. In it, Jones called the trial “nonsense” based on “false statements and outright lies.” Among other things, Jones alleges the ACNA never officially served him.
In September 2025, ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood wrote a letter saying church leaders “received credible complaints” about Jones involving alleged “abuse of ecclesiastical power.”
“These complaints did not involve physical or sexual misconduct, nor did they involve any doctrinal concerns,” Wood wrote. “Nevertheless, they were concerning because abuse of ecclesiastical power violates the trust that is essential for effective ministry.”
JAFC disputed the accusations and the investigation into them, claiming Jones was the subject of “a targeted attack” by Wood because he was “critical of errors, missteps, and mismanagement within the Archbishop's office.”
JAFC Chairman David van Esselstyn wrote a letter to Wood stating that the chaplains group was ending its relationship with ACNA. The denomination refused to recognize the disaffiliation, however, and instead appointed new leadership for the group.
In response, JAFC filed a complaint against ACNA in federal district court in October 2025, accusing the denomination of attempting “a failed corporate takeover” of JAFC when it tried “to suspend Plaintiff’s corporate president” and assume his responsibilities.
In November 2025, U.S. District Judge Bruce Hendricks of the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, issued an order partly granting JAFC’s request for a temporary restraining order, a short-term order that blocks certain actions while a case moves forward.
In December, the ACNA Board of Inquiry released a statement announcing that Jones faced four charges of violating canon law: “Willful refusal to follow a Godly Admonition,” “Disobedience to or willful contravention of the Canons of this Church,” “Having exhibited conduct giving cause for scandal or offense, including the abuse of ecclesiastical power” and “Having promoted and caused schism within this Church.”
Last month, the ACNA Court for the Trial of a Bishop released an opinion finding Jones guilty on all four counts, concluding that Jones had “sought to force submission and wield power, rejecting Godly authority and inquiry in a manner that is as unlike Christ as one can imagine.”
