What We Believe

What is an Episcopalian?

What is an Episcopalian? What is the Episcopal Church?
Hint: "Episcopal" means "governed by bishops."

The Episcopal Church is .....
Part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and is in union with the American/Episcopal churches with more than 70 million members worldwide.
Has historic roots in the Church of England
Is both "catholic" and "reformed/protestant"

Why Should I Become an Episcopalian?

In this short YouTube video, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori responds to this question.

The Episcopal Church - Real People, Real Faith

The Episcopal Church is .....

Welcoming.... all who seek God are welcome.
Diverse… our members come from all races, groups and religious backgrounds and represent a spectrum of opinion, belief and practice.
Old… many of our church buildings date back to the colonial era and many have been the spiritual homes to generations of believers.
New… as the Holy Spirit moves among us we are ever-changing, growing in Christ, and joyfully welcoming new people into our midst.

The Episcopal Church is .....

Scripture-based… the Holy Bible is accepted as containing God's message.
Creed-based… the statements of faith (creeds) of the undivided early church are affirmed.
Sacrament-based… the outward and visible signs of God's inward and spiritual grace given to his people are celebrated, especially in Baptism and Holy Communion, and also in confirmation, penance, matrimony, ordination and healing/anointing.
Ministry-based… each member is called to his/her ministry in life within the biblical orders of bishops, priests, deacons and laity.

The Episcopal Church is .....

One… united by faith.
Holy… called by Christ.
Catholic… for all people.
Apostolic… following in the apostles' footsteps.

The Episcopal Church is based on ....

Scripture… the Word of God found in the bible.
Tradition… the Church guided by the Holy Spirit.
Reason… God's people unfolding God's truth.

The Episcopal Church is .....

Catholic… we follow many of the traditions and doctrines of the believing community throughout the centuries.
Reformed/Protestant… we have changed and reformed to meet the needs of people and effectively proclaim the message of Jesus Christ in each generation.

The Episcopal Church is .....

Trinitarian… we believe that our one God has been revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Salvation oriented… we believe God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, has called all believers to salvation - eternal unity with God.
A Faith Community… we believe the Holy Spirit calls believers into the community of faith — the church.
Worship Oriented… we believe all God's people need to gather regularly to praise God and be surrounded by the believing community.

The Episcopal Church is .....

Biblical and historic… in the leadership it has maintained unbroken through the centuries.
Bishops… oversee the larger community of faith, called a diocese, consisting of many parishes. They have been ordained by other bishops in an unbroken chain back to the first apostles.
Priests... local parish leaders ordained by a bishop to be pastors, preachers and to celebrate the sacraments.
Deacons… ordained by a bishop and assist priests in the hands-on ministry of the church.
Laity… our members to seek to follow God and know his will in their lives.
Religious Orders… groups of men and women who take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and commit their lives to service.